Gifts of Securities: Getting Started
A stock portfolio is often among the most valuable assets you own—and one that can carry substantial capital gain, or appreciation in value. With careful planning, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains tax while supporting our work. Read on to see why donating securities can offer even more tax benefits than writing a check.
Gift of Securities
You
2
You receive an income tax deduction.
Florida Atlantic University
3
Securities are sold and Florida Atlantic University receives the cash proceeds.
Stock Market
Stocks are considered to be appreciated for tax purposes if they're worth more now than when you purchased them.
How It Works
As stock prices increase, so do the taxes you owe on the long-term capital gain, which are charged at a maximum rate of 20 percent (0 percent if your income falls below the 25 percent tax bracket and 15 percent if your income falls below the 39.6 percent bracket). But when you donate publicly traded stock you've owned for more than one year to a qualified charitable organization such as Florida Atlantic University, you enjoy two major tax benefits:
- You will be exempt from paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value—taxes you would pay if you had otherwise sold the securities.
- You are entitled to a federal income tax deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities, regardless of their original cost.
The income tax deduction for long-term capital gain property is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income in the year you make the gift, but your excess deduction is deductible for up to five additional years.
Learn how to transfer stock to Florida Atlantic University.
Example
Lucy wants to make a charitable gift of $10,000. She can make her gift with either cash or stock. She has a marginal federal income tax rate of 28 percent and is not subject to state or local income taxes. The stock's value is $10,000, with a cost basis of $4,000.
Cash Gift vs. Stock Gift |
Type of gift |
Cash |
Stock |
| Value of gift |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
| Cost basis |
N/A |
$4,000 |
| Long-term capital gain if sold |
N/A |
$6,000 |
| Long-term capital gains tax eliminated ($6,000 x 15% rate) |
N/A |
$900 |
| Income tax savings ($10,000 x 28% rate) |
$2,800 |
$2,800 |
| Total tax savings (capital gains tax eliminated + income tax savings) |
$2,800 |
$3,700 |
| Net cost of gift (value of gift - total tax savings) |
$7,200 |
$6,300 |
In this example, using the stock instead of writing a check saves an added $900. A higher federal tax bracket and any state or local income taxes would further improve Lucy's results.
Learn More
A tax or legal advisor can provide you with additional information. We would be happy to assist you as well. Simply contact David Rutherford at 561-297-2119 or gift.planning@fau.edu; we can work with you to find a way to give that meets your goals.
Copyright © The Stelter Company, All rights reserved.
The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.
