The short answer is yes, but the deduction caps at $25 per recipient per year. That’s a federal rule applying to all business gifts, and it catches many real estate agents off guard when they discover their $200 closing gift only generates a $25 write-off.

You give a client a nice gift basket worth $150 at closing. You can deduct $25. The remaining $125 is non-deductible. You spent the money and it’s a legitimate business expense, but you don’t get a tax benefit beyond that first $25.

The limit applies per person per year. A married couple counts as two people, so you can deduct $50 total if the gift goes to both of them. Help the same client buy and sell in one year? Still just $25 total for that person regardless of how many transactions you close together.

Incidental costs sit outside the $25 cap. Gift wrapping, engraving, shipping, and packaging are all deductible separately. If you spend $25 on a cutting board, $8 on engraving, and $12 on shipping, you can deduct all $45.

Branded promotional items work differently. A doormat with your logo, a cutting board with your business name, tote bags featuring your branding. These count as advertising expense, not gifts. Advertising has no per-recipient limit. The item needs to clearly promote your business though, not just be a generic gift with your card attached.

Meals follow their own rules. Taking a client to lunch or dinner falls under meal deductions at 50%, not the $25 gift limit. You need to actually be present at the meal for this to apply. Sending a restaurant gift card still counts as a gift subject to the $25 cap.

For agents working with real estate accounting professionals, this creates a practical consideration. That $300 closing gift saves you maybe $6 to $8 in actual taxes from the $25 deduction. The gift is probably still worth giving for referrals and relationship building, but don’t mistake it for a major tax strategy.

Document every gift with the recipient’s name, date, business relationship, and cost. Keep receipts. An audit requires you to prove these were actual business gifts, not personal presents run through your Schedule C.

Some agents restructure their closing gifts once they understand the rules. Instead of one expensive item, they give a $25 gift plus a branded promotional item plus take the clients to a congratulatory dinner. Three different expense categories, three different rule sets, more total deductible.

The straightforward advice from Treasure Valley tax and accounting professionals is this. Give gifts because they strengthen relationships and generate referrals, not for the tax benefit. Make sure your tax return captures the $25 per gift you’re entitled to, but let your marketing goals drive the gift budget rather than the other way around.