It is the time of the year when people think a lot about making gifts to charities and family members. If you plan your gifting appropriately, it can also benefit you by reducing your income and gift taxes. That is great, because we are encouraged to make more gifts!
Here are guidelines when gifting to charity or your own family members this season.
How to Deduct Charitable Donations
Household items. These must be in good condition or better in order to qualify for a deduction, unless you are donating an item with a value of over $500 and have a qualified appraisal. If the value of your donated household items exceeds $250, you must have a written receipt from the charity that describes the items. If the total of your non-cash contributions exceeds $500, you will need to complete a Form 8283 and attach it to your tax return.
Money. You must have a written receipt or bank statement for any donation of money to a charity, regardless of the amount. You can gift via cash, check, credit or debit card. If you donate via credit card in December but don’t actually pay that off until January, you can still take the deduction on your 2015 tax return. If you donate via payroll deduction, you’ll need a W-2 wage statement or other documentation from your employer that shows the total amount donated in 2015.
Qualified charity status. Only charities to eligible charities qualify for a deduction. You can check the eligibility on the IRS website.
How to avoid filing a gift tax return
Annual exclusion. You are allowed to gift up to $14,000 (as of 2015) in cash, property or other assets to any one person without having that count toward your lifetime gift tax exemption ($5.43 million). If you are married, you can donate up to $28,000 as a couple to as many people as you want, as long as the total given to each does not exceed $28,000. You do not even have to be related to the recipient. Plus, limits on gifts to spouses don’t apply.
Funding for college plans. Contributing to a child or grandchild’s college education is a gift that keeps giving forever. Contributions to a Section 529 education savings plan can be made up to the annual exclusion amount of $14,000 ($28,000 for married couples). Money in these plans grows tax-free and is allowed to be withdrawn tax-free as long as the funds are used for educational purposes.
Other gifts. If you pay someone’s tuition or medical expenses (including health insurance premiums) directly to the service provider, this will not count against your annual exclusion or lifetime gift tax exemption. As long as it is paid direct to the provider, you won’t have to file a gift tax return.
The best way to establish a good gifting strategy for you and your family is to talk with us about a Family Wealth Planning Session, where we can identify the best long term strategies for you and your family to ensure your legacy of love and financial security.