An IRA rollover gift. If you are age 70 and older, a new law allows you to make a tax-free charitable distribution from your IRA up to $100,000. Obtain the transfer forms from your IRA custodian and give by year's end as God directs. The IRA rollover may simplify your tax return, because the distribution is not included in your federal taxable income.

A gift of appreciated securities. You may earn a charitable deduction based on the fair market value on the date of the gift. If you have held the securities for more than a year, you incur a capital gains tax when you sell the securities. But by giving the appreciated value to a charity, like the Mission, you could avoid that capital gains tax.

A gift of property. Here, again, you may avoid capital gains tax and earn a charitable deduction based on a qualified appraisal of the fair market value of an unencumbered property which you donate to the Mission before December 31.

A gift of life insurance. If you have policies you no longer need, life insurance can make a convenient tax-deductible charitable gift. When you assign the Mission as the beneficiary, you may have the opportunity for tax deductions on the premiums being paid or the cash value of the policy.

Establishment of a charitable trust. A charitable trust may provide you or your family with income for life, while also avoiding capital gains taxes and helping the needy. A charitable trust is also flexible enough to be structured to your family's needs.

INCREASED TAX SAVINGS FROM A CHARITABLE DEDUCTION

You may need additional deductions this year, since many of the standard deductions you have previously taken on your income tax returns are no longer available.

Giving from Cash Flow. You can receive an income tax deduction by giving cash. This is most beneficial to Jefferson County Rescue Mission. And many times, it is the easiest way for you to give.

Gifts of Net Worth. But your cash flow may not be sufficient to make the gifts you desire, and to receive the tax deductions you need.

Charitable deduction tax savings are available when you make gifts of property. . . insurance policies which you no longer need. . .stocks, bonds, mutual funds. . .real estate . . .tangible personal property related to our exempt function. Each of these gifts will provide a tax deduction this year, if the gift is completed before December 31.

And many times you can make a larger gift of property, receiving a substantially higher tax deduction, because it does not affect current cash flow.

You can also create an income tax charitable deduction, which will provide substantial tax savings by simply guaranteeing today that certain properties will be distributed to charity at your death. This can be accomplished with property such as your home, or investment properties from which you wish to maintain income.

Avoidance of Capital Gains Tax. The property you have available for giving may have substantially appreciated in value. If you sold the property, you would pay a tax on the difference between what you paid for the property and what it is worth today. This is called a capital gain, and is taxed at both the federal and state level. However, if you contribute the property rather than selling it, you can receive a charitable deduction for the full value of the property, and avoid the tax on the gain.

An Income Tax Deduction Now for Gifts Made in Future Years. If your income tax bracket is higher this year than it will be in future years, or if you need an additional deduction this year, you can establish a specially designed trust. Property is transferred to the trust with income payable to a charitable organization for a period of years. At the end of the trust period, the property will be returned to you. When the trust is properly designed, you can receive an income tax deduction this year, for the current value of the future income gifts to charity.

INCREASED INCOME FROM YOUR CHARITABLE GIFT

Many of our friends have fixed-income investments which are producing income at lower than current market rates. Others have property, which is paying little or no return. However, high appreciation keeps them from selling the assets and investing to achieve a higher return.

Charitable gift annuities have maintained a high rate of return. Many individuals find this a more attractive investment.

Or property can be placed in a specially designed charitable trust, providing a substantial income tax charitable deduction. The property can then be sold by the trust, avoiding tax on the capital gain. And the trustee can invest in high income producing assets, resulting in a considerably higher income.

The assets are invested to provide income for you, and are not actually transferred to the charitable organization until the end of the trust period.

PERSONAL SATISFACTION

There is an additional advantage available with each of the above giving options. . . knowing that you are receiving substantial personal benefit, as you are helping Jefferson County Rescue Mission accomplish our mission. This is a winning combination, doing good for others while helping ourselves.