A Question About Gifts And Tax

[Henry1865]

How do HMRC define years? Is it the date of a gift, or the tax year it is given in?

 

 

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you're referring to the Inheritance Tax provisions (although it'll almost certainly be the same for other tax matters), see 'Annual exemption' here:
https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax/gifts

[Henry1865]

So I take it is it calendar year and not tax year?

[Buenchico]

^^^ No!

From my link:
"You can give away a total of £3,000 worth of gifts each tax year without them being added to the value of your estate. This is known as your ‘annual exemption’.

You can give gifts or money up to £3,000 to one person or split the £3,000 between several people.

You can carry any unused annual exemption forward to the next tax year - but only for one tax year.

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the following year."