CAPITAL GAINS TAX: A CHARITABLE TRUST MAY BE THE ANSWER

APPRECIATED ASSETS CAN MEAN HIGH CAPITAL GAINS

Many individuals own stock with an extremely low basis, the sale of which would result in significant capital gains. This is often the case for individuals who spend a significant portion of their career with one company and acquired stock during their employment or who inherit a portfolio that is not actively managed and accrues significant growth. Because of the potentially high capital gains, individuals frequently are reluctant to sell some or all of these assets. Of course, the fact that assets have appreciated indicates the investment has been successful, but there is a point at which the unwillingness to sell assets (because of capital gains taxes) can have a negative effect. For instance, investments may be at a higher risk because they are not diversified or the stock in question does not provide suitable income.

ACHIEVE CHARITABLE GOALS WITH A TRUST

If you are charitably inclined, creating a charitable trust may be an option to reduce the low basis stock in your portfolio. The highly appreciated asset is transferred to a trust in which you give yourself an income stream of either a fixed dollar amount per year or fixed percentage based on the value of the assets transferred to the trust. The trust defines whether you will receive the payments for a fixed number of years or for the rest of your life. You also will have the ability to add an additional beneficiary, such as a spouse, to continue to receive the income after your death. At the conclusion of the established term, the assets that remain in the trust will be paid to the charity or charities you have selected.

REBALANCE YOUR PORTFOLIO WITH CHARITABLE TRUST

When the assets are transferred to the trust, the trustee, who you have selected but must be independent, will sell the assets and then invest the funds in a more diversified portfolio. These decisions will take into account the assets transferred, the rate of payment you select, the number of years income payments are to be made, and the number of beneficiaries. In the year you create the trust and the assets are transferred to it, you will receive a charitable deduction on your income tax return based on the value of the transfer, the number of years of the trust, the payout rate and the number of beneficiaries. Your accountant and attorney will work together to maximize the amount of charitable deduction you will be able to take on your income tax return.  By making this transfer, you have simultaneously maximized the benefit of a charitable gift while avoiding the payment of capital gains tax on the highly appreciated asset. Finally, you have not given up the benefit you received from the underlying asset as you have converted it in to an income stream for a period of time.

CONSULT YOUR PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Obviously, this is a fairly sophisticated planning tool so you will need to determine if it makes sense by discussing it with your trusted professionals. You, along with your trustee, should seek guidance in the establishment of such a trust from your financial advisor, attorneys, and accountant. Many charitable institutions will assist in the creation of such a trust if you are naming them as the ultimate beneficiary. In the right circumstance, using a charitable trust can provide income tax savings by eliminating capital gains and providing a charitable deduction while also allowing you to retain the value of the underlying asset for a period of time. The attorneys at Phelan, Frantz & Ohlig are experienced in all aspects of estate planning, including trusts.