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Transforming Realty to Gift Reality
As you think about supporting Binghamton University, consider a donation of real estate, such as a personal residence, vacation home, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land. When you donate real estate that you have held longer than one year, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction and you may minimize or eliminate capital gains tax. And you no longer have to deal with selling the real estate or the property's maintenance costs, property taxes or insurance.
You can deed the property directly to the Foundation or ask your attorney to add a few sentences in your will or trust agreement. Please note that although the Foundation can accept gifts of real estate, the process may take some time. Please contact us for additional information.
Ways to Give Real Estate
You can give real estate to the Foundation in the following ways:
An outright gift+
When you make a gift today of real estate you have owned longer than one year, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction equal to the property's full fair market value. This deduction lets you reduce the cost of making the gift and frees cash that otherwise would have been used to pay taxes. By donating the property to Binghamton University Foundation, you also eliminate capital gains tax on its appreciation.
A gift in your will or living trust+
A gift of real estate through your will or living trust allows you the flexibility to change your mind and the potential to support our work with a larger gift than you could during your lifetime. In as little as one sentence, you can ensure that your support for the Foundation continues after your lifetime.
A donor advised fund+
When you transfer real estate to your donor advised fund, you avoid capital gains taxes and qualify for a federal charitable income tax deduction based on the fair market value of the property when you itemize your taxes.
A retained life estate+
Perhaps you like the tax advantages a gift of real estate to our organization would offer, but you want to continue living in your personal residence for your lifetime. You can transfer your personal residence or farm to the Foundation but keep the right to occupy (or rent out) the home for the rest of your life. You continue to pay real estate taxes, maintenance fees and insurance on the property. Even though the Foundation would not actually take possession of the residence until after your lifetime, since your gift cannot be revoked, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction for a portion of your home's value.
A charitable remainder unitrust+
You can contribute any type of appreciated real estate you've owned for more than one year, provided it is unmortgaged, in exchange for an income stream for life or a term of up to 20 years. The donated property may be a residence (a personal residence must be vacant upon contribution), undeveloped land, a farm or commercial property. Real estate works well with only certain variations of charitable remainder trusts. Your estate planning attorney, who will draft your trust, can give you more details.
A bargain sale+
When you make a bargain sale, you sell your property to the Binghamton University Foundation for less than fair market value. The difference between the actual value and the sale price is considered a gift to the Foundation. A bargain sale can be an effective way to dispose of property that has increased in value, and it is the only gift that can give you a lump sum of cash and a charitable deduction (when you itemize) at the same time.
A charitable lead trust+
This gift can be a wonderful way for you to benefit the Foundation and simultaneously transfer appreciated real estate to your family tax-free. You should consider funding the charitable lead trust with real estate that is income-producing and expected to increase in value over the term of the trust.
An Example of How It Works
Janet purchased a property years ago and has watched it grow steadily in value. Still active in her career and traveling frequently, she is beginning to find management of the property more and more of a hassle. Janet sees this as an opportunity to give her rental property to a charity that is important to her while realizing valuable tax benefits.
Janet avoids capital gains tax on the appreciation and qualifies for a federal income tax charitable deduction for the property’s fair market value. Janet loves knowing that the gift of her property will make a big difference supporting our mission.
Make a Gift Today
Learn more about the many ways to use real estate to support Binghamton University Foundation in the FREE guide Ways to Donate Real Estate.
Our Top Free Resource
This comprehensive estate planning kit helps you protect your family and establish your legacy. FREE!
Download My Kit