When a taxpayer gifts income producing property to family members it switches the tax liability to the receiver of the gift. That can result in an overall reduction in tax if the receiver’s marginal tax rate is lower than the taxpayer’s. However, these days this is of limited value. With the introduction of the “Kiddie Tax” Congress basically stopped any real viability of a parent transferring income property to a minor child, in order to reduce tax.
The “Kiddie Tax” is a taxing method where minor children’s marginal tax brackets are the same as the parent’s tax brackets, if they have investment income in excess of $1900 for 2011 and they are under age 19 (or under age 24 if a student).
It is also important to note that gifting can result in gift tax or gift tax reporting which also needs to be factored into any decision regarding gifting property to family members. Therefore overall, gifting income producing property in order to attempt to reduce tax is of very marginal benefit to most taxpayers.