Stock Donations

Donating Stock to Charity

Stocks / Mutual Funds

It’s easy to contribute stocks and mutual funds through Heaven’s Family for “the least of these” around the world.

When you contribute appreciated securities:

–  you receive an immediate tax deduction* for the full amount of the securities value on the transfer date if the securities were held for more than one year,

–  you pay no capital gains tax,

–  you can designate your gift to a specific fund just like a cash contribution.

Consider the following two simplified scenarios illustrating the difference between contributing stocks directly to Heaven’s Family versus selling the stocks and contributing the cash proceeds to Heaven’s Family:

Scenario #1

Sam purchased 200 shares of ABC Corporation

The value of the shares appreciated over a few years

Total value of the 200 shares

Sam contributes the 200 shares to build an orphanage in Myanmar

The amount of capital gains Sam must claim

The amount of capital gains tax Sam must pay

The amount of tax deduction Sam can claim on this year’s tax return

$10,000

$5,000

$15,000

$15,000

-$0-

-$0-

$15,000

Scenario #2

Dan purchased 200 shares of ABC Corporation

The shares appreciated over a few years

Total value of the 200 shares

Dan sells the shares and collects the cash proceeds

Dan contributes the cash to build an orphanage in Myanmar

The amount of capital gains Dan must claim

The amount of capital gains tax Dan must pay

The amount of tax deduction Dan can claim on this year’s tax return

$10,000

$5,000

$15,000

$15,000

$15,000

$5,000

**$750

$15,000

Sam and Dan both have the joy of providing a home for 30 to 40 homeless orphans, and they are both able to claim a tax deduction of $15,000. However, Dan paid $750 in taxes because he sold his shares and contributed cash, while Sam directly contributed his shares to Heaven’s Family and avoided paying capital gains taxes.

NOTE:

  • If securities are held for less than one year at the time of the contribution, the tax deduction is generally limited to the original cost of the securities.
  • If the securities depreciate in value, it is beneficial to sell the securities, contribute the cash proceeds obtaining a tax deduction, and then claim the investment loss on the contributor’s tax return.

* For charitable contributions, generally up to 50% of your adjusted gross income can be deducted with a five-year carryover of any remaining amount.

** As of 2016 the long-term capital gains tax rate is no higher than 15% for most taxpayers.

To learn more about contributing stocks or mutual funds, please read our Strategic Stewardship article, Donating Stock to Charity.

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