§ 2502. Rate of tax

• (a) The tax imposed by section 2501 for each calendar year shall be an amount equal to the excess of—
  • (1) a tentative tax, computed under section 2001(c), on the aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for such calendar year and for each of the preceding calendar periods, over
  • (2) a tentative tax, computed under such section, on the aggregate sum of the taxable gifts for each of the preceding calendar periods.
• (b) Whenever used in this title in connection with the gift tax imposed by this chapter, the term “preceding calendar period” means—
  • (1) calendar years 1932 and 1970 and all calendar years intervening between calendar year 1932 and calendar year 1970,
  • (2) the first calendar quarter of calendar year 1971 and all calendar quarters intervening between such calendar quarter and the first calendar quarter of calendar year 1982, and
  • (3) all calendar years after 1981 and before the calendar year for which the tax is being computed.
• (c) The tax imposed by section 2501 shall be paid by the donor.