Client gifts · Financial advisors
What can financial advisors give clients?
Client gift ideas for financial advisors by budget, where FINRA Rule 3220's $300 limit does and doesn't apply, the IRS $25 rule, and order-by dates.
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Short answer
Financial advisors can usually give retail clients modest, useful gifts. FINRA Rule 3220's $300-per-year limit covers gifts to employees of other businesses, and FINRA says it doesn't apply to individual retail customers. Your firm's policy still applies, and the IRS deducts only $25 per recipient. Clear gifts with compliance first.
On this page
Gift types by use
Each row matches a type of gift to who it suits, with the source for the reason. Survey figures are from a vendor survey.
| Best for | Gift type | Why it fits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail client households | Shareable food or gift box | Multi-address shipping; personalized message per gift | Packed with Purpose |
| Institutional client contacts | Nominal logo item or modest gift recorded under the $300 cap | 3220 .06 and the $300 limit | FINRA Rule 3220 |
| Business-owner clients | One premium everyday item | 55% prefer one premium item (employee data) | Custom Ink survey |
| Clients' milestones (retirement, new grandchild) | Personal note + modest gift | .04 personal-gift carve-out is narrow and presumes firm-paid gifts are business gifts: so treat as business gifts | FINRA Rule 3220 |
Frequently asked questions
Does FINRA limit gifts to clients?
FINRA Rule 3220 caps gifts to employees of another business at $300 per person per year when related to that employer's business. Supplementary Material .09 says it doesn't apply to gifts to individual retail customers. Your firm's policy may be stricter.
When did the FINRA gift limit change to $300?
FINRA's rule page shows the amendment (SR-FINRA-2025-003) effective March 30, 2026, announced in Regulatory Notice 26-05.
How is a gift's value counted under Rule 3220?
At cost, excluding tax and delivery charges. Gifts to several people are split pro rata per recipient.
Are logo items exempt?
De minimis items and promotional items of nominal value with the firm's logo are outside the limit when their value is substantially below $300 (Supplementary Material .06).
How much can an advisor deduct for client gifts?
IRS Publication 463 caps business-gift deductions at $25 per recipient per year. Not tax advice.
Sources
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