Paying taxes on rent collected.

I am purchasing a house which will be my primary place of residence. I plan on renting out 2 of the rooms. Can I claim the money they give me monthly a gift instead of income??

I know that one person is allowed to give another person up to 11,000 for the 2002 calendar year. So if each of them gives me $600/month for rent, they will only have given me $7200/each per year. Which is far under the gift limit. If I cannot claim the rent as a gift, what are my options?? If I do claim the rent as a gift what are the consequences? Thanks in advance.

You can not legally claim the rent money as a gift. It is rent and the law says you must report it as rent.

make sure you take all of the advantages of a rental - look over Schedule E for applicable deductions.