Charitable Trust Generates $1.2M Deduction for Appreciated Stock
Executive Summary
A high-net-worth client held a $2 million position in a single, highly appreciated stock, facing significant capital gains tax liability and a desire to support a charitable cause. To address this, Santos Financial Research Group recommended and implemented a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). This strategy allowed the client to donate the stock, receive a stream of income, and secure a substantial $1.2 million charitable deduction in the first year, effectively reducing their taxable income by 60%.
The Challenge
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, long-time clients of Santos Financial Research Group, approached Dr. Santos with a complex financial challenge. They had diligently built a portfolio over the years, but a significant portion, approximately 65%, was concentrated in a single publicly traded company, "TechForward Inc." The position, now valued at $2 million, had an original cost basis of only $200,000, representing $1.8 million in unrealized capital gains.
The Thompsons were approaching retirement and considering strategies to diversify their portfolio and reduce their tax burden. They also had a deep commitment to supporting the "Children's Literacy Foundation," a non-profit organization dedicated to improving literacy rates in underprivileged communities. They wanted to make a substantial donation but were hesitant to trigger a massive capital gains tax bill by simply selling the TechForward stock and donating the cash.
Selling the stock outright would have resulted in a federal capital gains tax of 20% plus the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT), totaling 23.8%. This would equate to $428,400 in taxes, significantly reducing the amount they could ultimately donate to the Children's Literacy Foundation. Furthermore, even after paying the taxes, they would be left with a concentrated portfolio, vulnerable to market fluctuations specific to TechForward. The challenge was clear: how could they realize their philanthropic goals, diversify their portfolio, and minimize their tax obligations simultaneously?
The Approach
Dr. Santos, recognizing the complexity of the Thompsons' situation, recommended the implementation of a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). This strategy offered a multi-faceted solution to their problems.
The core idea was to transfer the appreciated TechForward stock into an irrevocable CRT. This allowed the Thompsons to bypass the immediate capital gains tax that would have been incurred upon selling the stock directly. The CRT would then sell the stock, tax-free, and reinvest the proceeds into a diversified portfolio.
Here’s the strategic decision framework used:
- Identify the Primary Goal: Determine if charitable giving was a genuine priority. The Thompsons' long-standing support for the Children's Literacy Foundation confirmed this.
- Assess the Tax Implications: Analyze the magnitude of the potential capital gains tax liability from selling the appreciated asset. The $428,400 estimate solidified the need for a tax-efficient strategy.
- Evaluate Alternative Strategies: Consider various charitable giving options, such as direct donation of stock, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), and CRTs. A CRT was deemed most suitable due to its ability to generate income for the Thompsons.
- Structure the CRT: Determine the appropriate type of CRT (annuity trust or unitrust), the payout rate, and the term of the trust based on the Thompsons' financial needs and philanthropic objectives. A Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) with a 5% payout rate was chosen for its flexibility and potential for growth.
- Calculate the Charitable Deduction: Use IRS actuarial tables to determine the present value of the remainder interest passing to the Children's Literacy Foundation. This calculation formed the basis of the charitable deduction.
- Implementation and Management: Engage legal and tax professionals to draft the trust documents, transfer the assets, and manage the trust's investments. A reputable trust company was selected to act as trustee.
The CRT offered several key advantages:
- Tax Deferral/Avoidance: Eliminated the immediate capital gains tax on the sale of the TechForward stock.
- Income Stream: Provided the Thompsons with a steady stream of income during their retirement years.
- Charitable Deduction: Generated a significant charitable deduction to offset their taxable income.
- Portfolio Diversification: Allowed for the diversification of their portfolio, reducing their reliance on a single stock.
- Philanthropic Fulfillment: Enabled them to make a substantial contribution to the Children's Literacy Foundation.
Technical Implementation
The implementation of the Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) involved several key steps, all adhering strictly to IRS regulations:
- Trust Creation: A CRUT was established as an irrevocable trust under Section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code. The trust document clearly defined the terms of the trust, including the payout rate (5%), the term of the trust (the Thompsons' joint lifetimes), and the designated charitable beneficiary (the Children's Literacy Foundation).
- Asset Transfer: The $2 million worth of TechForward stock was transferred into the CRUT. This transfer was considered a gift to the trust, but not a taxable event for the Thompsons.
- Stock Sale: The CRUT, acting independently, sold the TechForward stock. Because the trust is a tax-exempt entity, the sale did not trigger any capital gains taxes.
- Investment Management: The $2 million proceeds from the sale were reinvested into a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets, managed by a professional investment manager. The goal was to generate sufficient income to fund the 5% annual payout to the Thompsons while preserving the principal for the ultimate benefit of the Children's Literacy Foundation.
- Payout Calculation: The annual payout to the Thompsons was calculated as 5% of the fair market value of the trust assets, determined annually. This "unitrust" structure allowed the payout to fluctuate with the value of the trust assets, providing some inflation protection. For the first year, the trust assets were valued at $2 million, resulting in a payout of $100,000 to the Thompsons.
- Charitable Deduction Calculation: The charitable deduction was calculated using IRS actuarial tables (Publication 1457), which take into account the Thompsons' ages, the payout rate, and the applicable federal rate (AFR). Based on these factors, the present value of the remainder interest passing to the Children's Literacy Foundation was determined to be $1.2 million. This represented the amount the Thompsons could deduct on their income tax return.
It's important to note that the charitable deduction is subject to certain limitations. In this case, the deduction was limited to 30% of the Thompsons' adjusted gross income (AGI). Any unused portion of the deduction could be carried forward for up to five years.
The entire process was overseen by a team of experienced professionals, including a tax attorney, a CPA, and a trust officer, to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Results & ROI
The implementation of the Charitable Remainder Trust generated significant financial benefits for the Thompsons:
- Charitable Deduction: The Thompsons received a $1.2 million charitable deduction in the first year, significantly reducing their taxable income.
- Taxable Income Reduction: This $1.2 million deduction reduced their taxable income by 60% in the first year.
- Capital Gains Tax Avoidance: They avoided paying approximately $428,400 in capital gains taxes by donating the stock to the CRUT instead of selling it directly.
- Income Stream: They received an annual income stream of $100,000 from the CRUT, providing them with additional retirement income.
- Portfolio Diversification: Their portfolio was diversified, reducing their risk exposure to a single stock.
- Philanthropic Impact: They were able to make a substantial donation to the Children's Literacy Foundation, supporting their philanthropic goals.
Before CRT:
- Concentrated portfolio: 65% in TechForward stock
- Unrealized capital gains: $1.8 million
- Potential capital gains tax: $428,400
- Charitable giving options: Limited by tax implications
After CRT:
- Diversified portfolio: Investments spread across various asset classes
- Capital gains tax liability: Eliminated
- Charitable deduction (Year 1): $1.2 million
- Annual income stream: $100,000
- Taxable income reduction (Year 1): 60%
The return on investment (ROI) for the CRUT was substantial. The avoidance of capital gains taxes, coupled with the income stream and the charitable deduction, far outweighed the costs associated with establishing and managing the trust. The Thompsons achieved their financial goals while also making a meaningful contribution to a cause they deeply cared about.
Key Takeaways
This case study highlights the power of strategic tax planning and charitable giving strategies. Here are some key takeaways for other advisors:
- Consider Charitable Remainder Trusts for Clients with Appreciated Assets: CRTs can be a valuable tool for clients who want to donate appreciated assets to charity while also receiving an income stream and reducing their tax burden.
- Understand the Tax Implications of Charitable Giving: It's crucial to understand the tax implications of various charitable giving strategies and to help clients choose the most tax-efficient option.
- Collaborate with Experts: Implementing a CRT requires the expertise of tax attorneys, CPAs, and trust officers. Collaboration with these professionals is essential to ensure compliance and maximize the benefits for the client.
- Focus on Client Goals: Always prioritize the client's financial and philanthropic goals when recommending a charitable giving strategy.
- Quantify the Benefits: Clearly demonstrate the financial benefits of a CRT, including the tax savings, income stream, and charitable deduction, to help clients make informed decisions.
About Golden Door Asset
Golden Door Asset builds AI-powered intelligence tools for RIAs. Our platform helps advisors identify tax-saving opportunities and personalize financial plans for clients. Visit our tools to see how we can help your practice.