What is the procedure when an Executive Branch employee receives a gift that cannot be accepted?

• A. Return the gift or donate to charity
• B. Return the gift or pay market value
• C. Keep the gift
• D. Report it and keep it

Answer: (B)

When a gift cannot be accepted, the goal is to remove the gift from your control and eliminate any improper benefit. The proper procedure is to either return the gift or pay the fair market value of the gift. Returning it directly nullifies any potential influence, and if returning isn’t possible, paying the market value reimburses the organization and prevents keeping an impermissible gain. Keeping the gift or reporting it and keeping it would still convey acceptance, which isn’t allowed. Donating to charity isn’t the standard remedy for gifts that cannot be accepted in this context.