Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Are you considering a year-end contribution to the New Jersey Audubon Society? In addition to a cash gift, a donation of appreciated securities is another way to contribute which can often prove to be a great tax-wise method of giving.
Consider This
If you give a gift of stock which you have held for more than one year, and the stock has risen in value since you acquired it, you would receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock at the time of transfer to charity and you would also pay no capital gains tax on the stock gift. While your total deduction is limited to 30% of your adjusted gross income in any year, you can take any unused deduction over five succeeding tax years. Therefore, you can actually receive more of a tax saving benefit by giving a gift of appreciated stock than if you made a cash gift of equal value!
How do you donate stock to New Jersey Audubon?
Let your broker or bank representative know the number of shares of each security you want to donate and just ask them to telephone New Jersey Audubon Society’s development office, at 908-204-8998 for transfer instructions. Do not have them sell the securities on the Society’s behalf, and don’t send the securities to a transfer agent to be transferred to New Jersey Audubon Society’s name.
If you have securities in certificate form and they are not held by a broker or banker, you can send or deliver them to New Jersey Audubon by first class mail, but you should not endorse or sign them. You should also send, in a separate envelope, a signed stock or bond power for each security. If you do not have a stock or bond power, you can obtain these forms from your bank or broker or obtain them from the development office.
Please do not fill in the Society’s name as transferee on either the stock certificate or the stock power.
Send the certificates and the stock power in separate envelopes to:
New Jersey Audubon Society
9 Hardscrabble Road
Bernardsville, New Jersey 07924.
If you have any questions regarding donations of appreciated stocks or other securities, or if you would like to learn more about other planned giving strategies which could save you tax dollars while helping New Jersey Audubon Society, call Kimberly Armenti, Vice President of Development and Communications, 908-396-6005.
We also recommend that you consult your legal and tax advisors before making any decisions based upon this information, to be certain that this method of giving is best for you.