Smart Money Gift Giving Brings Tax Advantages Holiday Spending
Smart Money Gift Giving Brings Tax Advantages - Holiday Spending
Tips and tools to get you started
Thoughtful ideas for everyone on your shopping list
From kids' allowances to interest rates, these figures will surprise you
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. Money in grandparent 529s isn't counted on the federal college aid form, so — in the first year — it won't reduce any government aid the child qualifies for. In subsequent years, withdrawals from the plan count as student resources. That might reduce aid, but cash from your 529 still leaves the student better off. You can start 529s for other future students you want to help, such as a godchild or niece. States run the 529 plans. To hold your costs down, buy from the state directly, not from financial advisers. You can find the direct-sold plan at SavingForCollege.com. For a super-safe choice, consider Series I (inflation-adjusted) savings bonds, available online at TreasuryDirect.gov. Like other safe investments, they're low payers today — earning an annualized rate of only 2.2 percent. But rates change every six months and increase if inflation rises. I-bond proceeds can be tax-free if used for tuition. To make this work, however, the bonds have to be bought in the name of the parent, not the grandparent. So give the money to your adult child and let him or her make the purchase. This year, for parents cashing in the bonds, the full tax break went to singles reporting income up to $72,850; then it gradually phased out, ending for singles at $87,850. For couples the range is $109,250 to $139,250. These limits rise annually with inflation. Most families will find that they qualify. Gifts to charities that pay you an income for life. Here's the charity deal: You make a gift — as little as $5,000 but more likely something near $50,000. You get an instant tax deduction. If you donate appreciated stock, you avoid the capital gains tax. The charity pays you an income for life. When you die, the charity gets whatever money is left. The charities do the legal work at no cost to you, and many arrangements are possible. The two most popular are gift annuities and remainder trusts. A gift annuity pays you a fixed interest rate. Most charities adopt the rates suggested by the American Council on Gift Annuities. At age 60 today, you might get 4.4 percent for life. At 75 you might get 5.8 percent. Generally, the payout is partly taxable and partly tax-free — a pretty good net return compared with other fixed-income investments. Annuities sold by insurance companies pay higher rates, but you wouldn't get the tax break and wouldn't have made a gift. A charitable remainder trust works a little differently. The charity invests your gift, and you generally receive a fixed percentage of the assets in the trust every year. The payouts will vary, depending on how the investments perform. Most major nonprofits offer tax-favorable gifting opportunities — churches, schools, hospitals, disease-based organizations and local community foundations (communityfoundations.net) — that disperse money to charities in your immediate area. If your pocketbook can handle your generosity, this is a good time to write a check. Jane Bryant Quinn is a personal finance expert and author of Making the Most of Your Money NOW. She writes regularly for the Bulletin.
Wise Holiday Gift-Giving
Your gifts to others can bring you tax advantages
At year-end the mind turns to gifts — often money gifts. Children and grandchildren might be on your list. Charities also make heavy pitches in December, sweetened with a sugar topping of . Here are some ideas to think about while you have your checkbook open: Gifts from your individual retirement account. Congress canceled the provision that let you give to charity tax-free. Now you have to pay income tax on the withdrawal. But if you'll be taking the required minimum distribution, think about charities anyway. The gift is tax-deductible, which partly offsets the tax you'll owe. Some charities also can . Corbis Most major nonprofits offer tax-favorable gifting opportunities. Gifts to children and grandchildren. You need no advice when you're popping $20 into a card for your granddaughter or writing your son a $100 check. If you're considering something larger, you can give up to $13,000 gift-tax-free to each of as many people as you want this year ($26,000 for married couples). If you want to help your grandchildren with the cost of higher education, I have two suggestions that carry . Start a 529 college savings plan in your name, with your grandchild as beneficiary. You can invest as little as $15 to $25 a month in various types of mutual funds, for long-term growth. The grandchild gets the money tax-free for higher education. If your state has an income tax, you may be able to deduct part or all of your gift on your .Giving Back
Tips and tools to get you started
Thoughtful ideas for everyone on your shopping list
From kids' allowances to interest rates, these figures will surprise you
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. Money in grandparent 529s isn't counted on the federal college aid form, so — in the first year — it won't reduce any government aid the child qualifies for. In subsequent years, withdrawals from the plan count as student resources. That might reduce aid, but cash from your 529 still leaves the student better off. You can start 529s for other future students you want to help, such as a godchild or niece. States run the 529 plans. To hold your costs down, buy from the state directly, not from financial advisers. You can find the direct-sold plan at SavingForCollege.com. For a super-safe choice, consider Series I (inflation-adjusted) savings bonds, available online at TreasuryDirect.gov. Like other safe investments, they're low payers today — earning an annualized rate of only 2.2 percent. But rates change every six months and increase if inflation rises. I-bond proceeds can be tax-free if used for tuition. To make this work, however, the bonds have to be bought in the name of the parent, not the grandparent. So give the money to your adult child and let him or her make the purchase. This year, for parents cashing in the bonds, the full tax break went to singles reporting income up to $72,850; then it gradually phased out, ending for singles at $87,850. For couples the range is $109,250 to $139,250. These limits rise annually with inflation. Most families will find that they qualify. Gifts to charities that pay you an income for life. Here's the charity deal: You make a gift — as little as $5,000 but more likely something near $50,000. You get an instant tax deduction. If you donate appreciated stock, you avoid the capital gains tax. The charity pays you an income for life. When you die, the charity gets whatever money is left. The charities do the legal work at no cost to you, and many arrangements are possible. The two most popular are gift annuities and remainder trusts. A gift annuity pays you a fixed interest rate. Most charities adopt the rates suggested by the American Council on Gift Annuities. At age 60 today, you might get 4.4 percent for life. At 75 you might get 5.8 percent. Generally, the payout is partly taxable and partly tax-free — a pretty good net return compared with other fixed-income investments. Annuities sold by insurance companies pay higher rates, but you wouldn't get the tax break and wouldn't have made a gift. A charitable remainder trust works a little differently. The charity invests your gift, and you generally receive a fixed percentage of the assets in the trust every year. The payouts will vary, depending on how the investments perform. Most major nonprofits offer tax-favorable gifting opportunities — churches, schools, hospitals, disease-based organizations and local community foundations (communityfoundations.net) — that disperse money to charities in your immediate area. If your pocketbook can handle your generosity, this is a good time to write a check. Jane Bryant Quinn is a personal finance expert and author of Making the Most of Your Money NOW. She writes regularly for the Bulletin.