Cal. Code Regs. tit. 18 § 15552
The value of a future, contingent or limited estate, income or interest in property is generally the present value or worth of such estate, income or interest at the date of the gift. In this connection, the Gift Tax Law specifically provides that such present value or worth is to be determined in accordance with the standards of mortality and values set forth in the United States Life Tables: 1959-1961, published by the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, and the rate of interest used in computing the present value of the estate, income or interest is 6 percent per annum compounded annually. In determining the present value or worth as of the date of the gift of a future, contingent, or limited estate, income or interest, other than an annuity in a fixed amount, the yearly income, or the annual value of the use or income, of the estate, income or interest, is considered equivalent to 6 percent of the appraised value of the property upon which the estate, income or interest is based.
A single life annuity table at 6 percent showing the present value or worth of an annuity, a life estate and a remainder interest of $1 due at the end of each year during the life of a male person of a specified age and of $1 due at the death of a male person of a specified age, respectively, is set forth in Section 15552.8 as Table A(1). Table A(2) shows the present value or worth at 6 percent of an annuity, life estate and a remainder interest of $1 due at the end of each year during the life of a female person of a specified age and the present value or worth of $1 due at the death of a female person of a specified age, respectively. The present value or worth at 6 percent of an annuity for a term certain, an income interest for a term certain, and a remainder interest postponed for a term certain is set forth in Section 15552.8 as Table B.
In the case of a gift of the character above set forth made on or after November 10, 1969, but prior to January 1, 1975, the present value or worth thereof is to be determined by the United States Life Tables and Actuarial Tables 1939-1941, Table 38, published by the Bureau of the Census of the United States Department of Commerce, and the rate of interest used in computing the present value of the estate, income or interest is 3 ½ percent per annum compounded annually. In such a case the yearly income or annual value of the use or income of an estate or interest is 3 ½ percent of the appraised value of the property upon which the estate or interest is based.
A single life annuity table at 3 ½ percent showing the present value or worth of an annuity, a life estate and a remainder interest of $1 due at the end of each year during the life of a person of a specified age and of $1 due at the death of a person of a specified age, respectively, is set forth in Section 15552.9 as Table C. The present value or worth at 3 ½ percent of an annuity for a term certain, and income interest for a term certain, and a remainder interest postponed for a term certain is set forth in Section 15552.9 as Table D.
In the case of a gift of the character above set forth made on or after July 1, 1945, but prior to November 10, 1969, the present value or worth thereof is to be determined by the Actuaries Combined Experience Tables of Mortality, save that the rate of interest used shall be 4 percent per annum; and, the yearly income or annual value of the use or income of an estate or interest is 4 percent of the appraised value of the property upon which the estate or interest is based.
In a case of a gift of the character above set forth made prior to July 1, 1945, the value thereof is to be determined by the Actuaries Combined Experience Tables of Mortality, save that the rate of interest used shall be 5 percent per annum; and, the yearly income or annual value of the use or income of an estate or interest is 5 percent of the appraised value of the property upon which the estate or interest is based.
It is assumed in the illustrative computations which follow that the gift was made on or after January 1, 1975, and the 6 percent tables are therefore used.
CAUTION: Tables A(1), A(2) and B, contained in Section 15552.8 are to be used to value interest in property for gifts made on or after January 1, 1975. Tables C and D contained in Section 15552.9 are to be used to value interest in property for gifts made on or after November 10, 1969, but prior to January 1, 1975. Care should be taken to refer to the correct table in each case.
NOTE: Reference: Section 15552, Revenue and Taxation Code
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 18, § 15552