Widely Attended Gatherings: Dollar Amount Has Not Changed

Currently, the maximum value of a gift of free attendance at a widely attended gathering when the gift is from a person other than the sponsor of the event is $285.  (5 C.F.R. 2635.204(g)(2))  The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) has periodically updated this amount so that it is identical to the "minimal value" established by GSA for reporting of gifts from foreign governments.  Although GSA announced in the January 12, 2005 Federal Register (Vol 70, No. 8, page 2318) that the minimal value has been changed to $305 commencing January 1, 2005, this change does not automatically change the $285 gift limit for widely attended gatherings. 

Bottom Line:  $285 remains the gift limit for widely attended gatherings until OGE changes the regulation.