Special-occasion gift giving has rules, limits

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Logan Fleming
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Legal Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The season for moving and retiring is quickly approaching and folks often want to show appreciation to departing leaders, coworkers and subordinates with parting gifts.

Following some simple rules on gift giving will avoid trouble and prevent embarrassment. These rules apply to gifts exchanged between active duty and Department of Defense civilians.

There are limits to gifts that can be given to superiors, as well as the gifts that may be accepted from individuals of lesser rank.

To clarify, a gift is anything of monetary value, such as cash, meals, trips, concert tickets, lodging, entertainment and services.

Modest food items such as soft drinks, coffee, donuts or items of little intrinsic value such as greeting cards, small plaques and certificates are not gifts, unless accepting them would create the appearance of impartiality or favoritism.

Care should be taken when giving gifts to someone of a higher rank, especially for those in a person's direct chain of command. Gifts to people of higher rank are generally limited to $10 and may only be given at times when gifts are traditionally exchanged.

On special occasions like going aways, giving gifts worth more than $10 is acceptable.

For special occasions, such as a marriage, birth of a child, retirement or permanent change of station, employees may solicit contributions from a group, but may not ask for more than $10 per person. It is important to ensure each person asked to contribute to the gift understands they are not obliged to donate and can give any amount they choose, to include nothing.

Gifts for these special occasions may not be worth more than $300. If more than $300 is collected, save the extra for the next special occasion.

The same rules that apply to special occasions also apply to retirement gifts. One difference is the $300 limit. It is per "donating group" and more than one donating group may give a gift.

The cost of food, refreshments and entertainment at the retirement party are not included in the $300 per gift limit.

It is important to remember that no one can be coerced into donating. No one can be asked to give more than $10. And the decision to contribute must be voluntary.

These rules do not apply to gifts between good friends. In that case, even if that person is of a higher grade, exchanging gifts of any value at any time is acceptable as long as the friend is not in the person's official reporting chain of command.

For more information, contact the Legal Office, 213-7404.