Building Your Philanthropic Legacy: Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust (“CRT”) is an irrevocable trust that provides income to the donor or other noncharitable beneficiaries for a specified period of time, with the remainder going to one or more charitable organizations upon termination of the trust. An important aspect of the CRT is that the trust itself is tax-exempt and the…

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Building Your Philanthropic Legacy: Charitable Lead Trust

Is a Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) Right for Me? If you are charitably-inclined and wish to benefit your family, a CLT may be right for you. The main benefits of a CLT are the potential reduction in gift and estate taxes for the non-charitable beneficiaries and, in the case of a grantor trust, an upfront…

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Building Your Philanthropic Legacy: Private Foundations

A private foundation is a type of non-profit, tax-exempt organization that is typically funded by an individual, family, or corporation to support charitable causes through grant making and allows donors to establish a philanthropic vehicle under their control to make grants in line with their charitable interests, while benefiting from tax advantages. Key Points: Private…

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Building Your Philanthropic Legacy: Donor-Advised Fund

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account administered by a public charity that allows donors to make tax-deductible contributions and then recommend grants from the fund to qualified charitable organizations over time. Key Attributes: Donors contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a DAF account and receive an immediate tax deduction of up…

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Building Your Philanthropic Legacy

At 1919 Investment Counsel (“1919”), our clients who are interested in making a difference often ask us for advice on how to leave a philanthropic legacy. However, the tax rules and various types of vehicles for charitable giving are complex and not always easy to navigate. Below are some steps and considerations we take when…

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2024 Tax Update

Tax Changes Could Be on the Horizon – Managing Tax Risks in 2024’s Uncertain Environment A Brief Summary Many of the tax benefits enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to disappear on January 1, 2026.  Anyone seeking to take advantage of the current tax rules should start speaking to their financial…

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2023 Tax Update

IRA Owners Get More Tax Relief and Other “Fixes” If your head is spinning from all the changes to IRA rules in the last few years, you’re not alone. On December 20, 2019, Congress passed a sweeping retirement reform bill known as the SECURE Act, which changed the rules for retirement accounts in several important…

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Advance Health Care Directives: Living Wills and Health Care Proxies

Planning Strategies This is the second full installment in our Estate Planning Series. Our first installment covered Durable Power of Attorney. In this piece, we’ll cover advance health care directives. What Are Advance Directives? Advance Health Care Directives are legal documents that describe the extent of medical treatment you want to receive should you become unconscious…

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The Importance of Having a Durable Power of Attorney

Planning Strategies This is the first full installment in our 2022 Estate Planning Series, covering the basics of five essential estate planning documents. A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to choose someone to act on your behalf as to certain legal and financial matters in the event you are…

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