Do you have to pay taxes on a gift of a few thousand dollars in the US?

In the U.S., gifts are generally not taxable to the recipient. However, the giver may be subject to gift tax if the amount exceeds the annual exclusion limit, which is $17,000 per recipient for 2023. Gifts above this threshold may require the giver to file a gift tax return, but they can often use their lifetime gift tax exemption to avoid actual tax liability. It's always advisable to consult a tax professional for specific situations.