Wow! You were just contacted by a stranger who was conducting family tree research and decided to hand you a check for $30,000. When you asked what you had to do for the money, they said "Nothing! It's a gift, free and clear!" To see whether it's real, you deposit it into your bank/credit union account. Do you have to pay income taxes or gift taxes because of this? Are there any taxes involved? 3. Wow! You were just contacted by a stranger who was conducting family tree research and decided to hand you a check for $30,000. When you asked what you had to do for the money, they said "Nothing! It's a gift, free and clear!" To see whether it's real, you deposit it into your bank/credit union account. Do you have to pay income taxes or gift taxes because of this? Are there any taxes involved? 3