My fiance and I are in the process of buying a home. We wanted to use money from a trust that she has for a down payment. The loan officer suggested that she gift me the money and we provide gift letters, bank statements showing the withdrawal/deposit, etc.

One of the things we plan on doing before we get married in June is to open up a joint bank account together. Thankfully, we have the opportunity to put down $100,000 on the house. We put down $25k when we signed the contract. The loan officer estimated that we're going to have to put down an additional $97k at closing to cover the rest of our down payment, closing costs and all the prepaid items, blah blah blah...

Finally, here's my question... if she gifts "us" the money to our newly opened joint bank account, will we have to pay taxes on it? Additionally, if she just gifted me the money, will I have to pay taxes on it? The loan officer doesn't seem to think so because the money is for a house. I tried emailing my accountant but he seems to disappear as soon as the tax season is over.

Her name isn't on the mortgage but it will be on the deed to the house, which is why we're in this situation.

Thanks in advance
Dan