Fillable Form Gift Certificate

What is a Gift Certificate?

A Gift Certificate is a voucher given to a person or a company that may then exchange the Gift Certificate for particular goods and services with a cash value equal to the amount indicated on the Gift Certificate. They generally require authorization in the form of a signature from a manager or otherwise of the company providing the Gift Certificate as well as details on how much cash the Gift Certificate is worth and until when it will be considered valid.

How do I fill out a Gift Certificate?

Make sure that all of the information written on the Gift Certificate or certificates is in order, or they won’t be exchangeable for any goods or services at all.

Date

Enter the date that the Gift Certificate was issued.

Valid Until

Enter the date until which the Gift Certificate will be considered valid. If the Gift Certificate will be valid for as long as it is intact and legible, you may simply put “Indefinitely Valid” instead.

Certificate Entitles

Enter the name of the person that the Gift Certificate is being issued to.

Goods/Services Exchangeable

Enter a short description of what goods and/or services this Gift Certificate can be exchanged for (i.e. products of Company X, Y service as offered by Company, etc).

Amount of $

Enter the amount of money (in USD) that this Gift Certificate can be exchanged for.

From

Enter the name of the person or entity that issued the Gift Certificate.

Authorized Signature

Have an authorized person sign the Gift Certificate in the space provided. This is necessary in order to properly validate the Gift Certificate and ensure that it can be redeemed in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a Gift Certificate after its expiry date has passed?

No. If a Gift Certificate is not used before its expiry date, it will be considered invalid and no longer be redeemable for anything.

Can I have an expired Gift Certificate replaced?

Generally, no. You would need to win or earn another, valid Gift Certificate to be able to have one to use. However, in some cases, if the Gift Certificate is still valid and encounters an error that prevents it from being processed, you may ask for a replacement of it then.

Can I use a Gift Certificate that has someone else’s name on it?

Yes, though not always. Sometimes, cashiers will ask for identification or authorization that you were allowed to use the Gift Certificate in the recipient’s stead. Other times, Gift Certificates will simply not be accepted from anyone except the person that they are titled to. Make sure to check with the company or person that gave the Gift Certificate what the case is for your Gift Certificate.

Can I just redeem a portion of the money on a Gift Certificate?

The answer to this is usually no. When exchanging Gift Certificates for goods and services, the Gift Certificate’s indicated value will generally need to be used up completely by the transaction.

What if I use a Gift Certificate for a purchase that costs more than the amount written on it?

You must pay the difference between the total cost of the purchase and the amount indicated on your Gift Certificate.

What if the Gift Certificate doesn’t work?

If a Gift Certificate doesn’t work, make sure to contact the provider ASAP in order to notify them of the issue. Note, though, that this is not a guarantee that you can have it replaced.

How do I get a Gift Certificate?

Gift Certificates may be granted to people for various reasons, most common of which is through winning a competition or as a reward part of some other event. Gift Certificates may also be bought from other sources, though the validity of Gift Certificates obtained through such means is not guaranteed.

Can I redeem a Gift Certificate at a company other than the one that issued it?

No. Gift Certificates may only be redeemed for goods and services provided by the company issuing it. They will not be considered valid for any other business unless specifically stated otherwise.

Can I redeem a Gift Certificate for things besides what are indicated on it?

No. Gift Certificates may only be redeemed for products indicated on the voucher itself. You may, however, redeem Gift Certificates (and Gift Cards) for discounted products as long as they fall under the list of goods and services indicated on the Gift Certificate that can be exchanged for.

Can Gift Certificates be given in an electronic format?

Yes. In more recent times, Gift Certificates are sometimes given as electronic documents instead of physical vouchers. These e-vouchers can still be used as one would normally use a Gift Certificate, often having a particular code (sometimes scannable) that must be provided to the cashier upon making a purchase of relevant goods and services.

What is the difference between a Gift Certificate and a Gift Card?

They are generally considered the same thing. However, in some cases, Gift Cards can be used for more sellers than a Gift Certificate, and may allow for only partial spending of the balance indicated on the Gift Card.

Is there a fee for using or not using a Gift Certificate?

No. Gift Certificates cannot contain a service fee or a dormancy fee. However, some Gift Cards may be subject to a service fee given the following conditions:

• The value remaining on the gift card is $5.00 or less each time the fee is assessed
• The dormancy fee is $1.00 per month or less
• The card has been inactive for 24 consecutive months (for example, no purchases, "reloading," or balance inquiries)
• The holder may reload or add value to the card
• The card has printed on it a statement in at least 10-point type stating the amount and frequency of the fee, that the fee is triggered by inactivity, and at what point the fee will be charged. This statement may be on the front or back of the card, but must be visible to the purchaser prior to purchase.

Can a Gift Certificate be redeemed for cash?

This depends on the policy of the seller. Some sellers allow for Gift Certificates to be redeemed for their value in cash, but many more do not allow such transactions and require that Gift Certificates be redeemed as-is.

Can I sell an unexpired Gift Certificate I’m not using?

Yes, though remember that some sellers will require authorization for Gift Certificates being used by someone other than the person indicated on the Gift Certificate.

Are Gift Certificates subject to Tax?

Yes, Gift Certificates are taxable. According to the IRS, gift cards for employees are considered cash-equivalent items. An exception does exist, however, for occasional meal money or transportation fare to allow an employee to work beyond normal hours.

What if I lose my Gift Certificate?

You may contact the person or company that provided the Gift Certificate to you and request that they grant you a new copy. This is only possible if you have not yet redeemed the Gift Certificate, and providing a replacement for a lost or damaged Gift Certificate is also not something companies are required to do outside of very specific circumstances. Make sure to check with the person or company that issued the Gift Certificate to learn if it is possible to recover/replace lost or damaged Gift Certificates to understand what processes will need to be taken in such a situation.