Charitable giving, in addition to doing good, can be a powerful financial tool for both estate planning and tax management. If you would like to create a charitable vehicle for tax purposes, two options will help you make charitable gifts in an organized fashion, while having a secure level of due diligence: a Private Family Foundation or a Donor Advised Fund. Both vehicles can be designed to help meet your tax goals and carry the family name into the future. Compare the advantages they offer.
Donor Advised Fund
The Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is often used by cost conscious donors or by donors who wish to maximize their current income tax deductions. It is a gifting vehicle created with a parent organization which is a qualified 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. This parent organization provides a document, normally free of charge, in exchange for an irrevocable relationship. While you may choose what charity to support, you have few responsibilities beyond donating funds and suggesting how they are used. The parent organization will provide the investment component (with limited or no input from you), as well as the complete administration of the fund. So you enjoy some of the benefits of a private foundation (see below) without the paperwork and start up expenses.
Donor Advised Funds are also available through mutual fund families who have established 501(c)(3) foundations to administer them. Your financial advisor can provide further information about these offerings available through your Financial Advisor.
Features and Benefits
- The DAF is simple to create and may accept a “lower” initial contribution. Some organizations will allow a DAF to be created for as little as $1,000.
- The DAF allows you to make additional contributions, which generate additional charitable income tax deductions when the addition is completed.
- The charitable income tax deductions are generated under the terms of a public charity due to the parent organization, so they qualify for maximum charitable deduction.
- Contributions of cash can currently be deducted up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI); appreciated securities (marketable securities are valued at fair market value) are usually limited to 30% of AGI; a five year carry forward of any remaining deduction is available.
- You and/or your designee retain the right to make non-binding recommendations to the parent organization on the gifting strategy every year, including the timing and amounts of the gifts, as well as the recipients.
- The charitable beneficiary of a DAF cannot be a private foundation.
Private (Family) Foundation
The private foundation (PF) has always been an excellent opportunity for creating a “family charity” to carry your family name and values into the future. A private foundation can be created in one of two formats: trust form or corporate form. Either form is governed by a customized document created by your legal advisor which provides you with the freedom and responsibility to make decisions about foundation design, administration and investment management. Private foundations have higher expenses to operate, but they give you total control and can give you the ability to qualify for charitable deductions on an ongoing basis.
Features and Benefits
- PFs are normally created with larger gifts.
- Additional contributions can be added to the foundation at any time.
- PFs offer long-term family involvement and succession planning for future family member participation.
- PFs provide flexibility and control over distributions to charities.
- PFs provide flexibility and control over administrative and investment service providers.
- There is a minimum 5% annual distribution requirement, with a potential excise tax for failure to meet this requirement or for engaging in certain prohibited transactions.
- There is a 2% excise tax on investment income (1% under certain circumstances).
- The charitable income tax deduction limitations are more restrictive due to the nonpublic charitable status of a PF.
- Contributions of cash are deductible up to 30% of AGI; appreciated securities (marketable securities held long-term are valued at fair market value) are limited 20% of AGI; a five year carry forward of any remaining deduction is available.
Which Vehicle is Right for You
Donor advised funds (through a public foundation or from a mutual fund company) and private foundations offer distinct features and benefits. Your financial advisor can help you choose the option that best fits your unique tax management needs.
As a client of the American Gift Fund, you are able to take full advantage of our associations with several well established trustees in the industry. Additional charitable services for planning, implementing and administrating your charitable plans are available through our alliances with these professional trustees. Our program combines the strengths of great organizations, providing you access to quality trust administration in addition to the professional, personalized investment services you’ve come to expect from your financial advisor. Call him or her today to discuss how these charitable giving vehicles can help you lower your tax bite while supporting a worthy cause that is important to you.
Potential Limitations on Tax Benefits
It is possible that this new provision may reduce the tax savings associated with your charitable gifts, however in many the cases the impact is quite small. To be sure, it is best to discuss the tax implications of major charitable gifts with your tax advisor, as it will depend greatly upon your individual tax situation.