While this has been a difficult year for many, the U.S. stock market, as well as other financial assets, have significantly increased in value throughout the year.  This provides an opportunity to consider making a gift of appreciated assets to Temple Isaiah and also enjoy related tax benefits.  Below, we have summarized a few of the well-established ways to get more from your year-end giving.  As always, be sure to consult with your tax advisor to make sure you make the best decision based on your individual financial and tax situation.

Make a cash gift. As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed last year, cash contributions to qualified nonprofits such as Temple Isaiah can be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income for the 2021 calendar year. The Act also expanded charitable giving incentives and allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified nonprofits this year. To qualify, you must make your gift before Dec. 31.

Contribute to your donor advised fund. If you have a donor advised fund, you can contribute to it before Dec. 31 and enjoy tax savings in that amount when you itemize on your tax return in the spring. When you’re ready, you recommend distributions be made to support the organizations you care about most.

Give from your individual IRA. Giving to Temple Isaiah directly from your traditional or Roth IRA is a great way to support our work while enjoying tax savings for those 70½ or older. A married couple can designate up to $100,000 each to qualified charity. Through a qualified charitable distribution, you pay no income taxes on the distributed amount for your gift, but there is no charitable contribution deduction on your personal tax return. You also gain the satisfaction of knowing your gift can be put to use today, allowing you to see the impact of your generosity. For your gift to count in 2021, we must receive it by Dec. 31.

Give from your individual stock or bond portfolio. By donating stock from your personal portfolio that has appreciated for more than a year, you are actually giving 20 percent more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation as you are able to avoid capital gains taxes which are currently at maximum tax rate of 20 percent on long-term holdings. Given that the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose from about 18,000 at the end of March 2015 and is currently hovering around 29,000 you are likely to realize a taxable profit on the sale of assets you purchased in the past five years. But if you donate the stock directly to Temple Isaiah, there’s no capital gains tax to pay. Plus, you are still eligible to deduct the full fair-market value of the asset you donated from your income taxes, up to the overall amount allowed by the IRS. And remember that your appreciated assets can also include assets that are not publicly traded such as restricted stock.