Here’s why donating stocks and other securities is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give:
A charitable contribution of long-term appreciated securities — i.e. stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds that have realized significant appreciation over time – is one of the most tax-efficient of all ways to give. This method of giving has become increasingly popular in recent years because of two key advantages:
- Any long-term appreciated securities with unrealized gains (meaning they were purchased over a year ago, and have a current value greater than their original cost) may be donated to a public charity and a tax deduction taken for the full fair market value of the securities – up to 30% of the donor’s adjusted gross income.
- Since the securities are donated rather than sold, capital gains taxes from selling the securities no longer apply. The more appreciation the securities have, the greater the tax savings will be.
(Source: Fidelity.com)
Interested in more information? Email Rick Anderson.