Gifts of Stock: Getting Started

A stock portfolio is often among the most valuable assets you own—and one that can carry substantial capital gain, or appreciation in value. With careful planning, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains tax while supporting our work. Read on to see why donating stock can offer even more tax benefits than writing a check.

Gift of Securities

You

1

You give securities.

2

You receive an income tax deduction.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

3

Securities are sold and PETA receives the cash proceeds.

Stock Market

Did you know?
Stocks are considered to be appreciated for tax purposes if they're worth more now than when you purchased them.

How It Works
As stock prices increase, so do the taxes you owe on the long-term capital gain, which are generally charged at a rate of 15 percent (0 percent if you are in the 10 and 15 percent tax brackets) through 2012. But when you donate publicly traded stock you've owned for more than one year to a qualified charitable organization such as PETA, you enjoy two major tax benefits:

• You will be exempt from paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value—taxes you would pay if you had otherwise sold the securities.
• You are entitled to a federal income tax deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities, regardless of their original cost.

The income tax deduction for long-term capital gain property is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income in the year you make the gift, but your excess deduction is deductible for up to five additional years.

	Learn more about the tax benefits of donating appreciated property.

Learn how to transfer stock to PETA.

Example
Lucy wants to make a charitable gift of $10,000. She can make her gift with either cash or stock. She has a marginal federal income tax rate of 28 percent and is not subject to state or local income taxes. The stock's value is $10,000, with a cost basis of $4,000.

In this example, using the stock instead of writing a check saves an added $900. A higher federal tax bracket and any state or local income taxes would further improve Lucy's results.

Learn More
A tax or legal advisor can provide you with additional information. We would be happy to assist you as well. Simply contact Tim Enstice at 757-962-8213 or plannedgiving@peta.org; we can work with you to find a way to give that meets your goals.