A charitable gift annuity is described generally as a transaction in which an individual transfers cash or property to a charitable organization in exchange for the charity's promise to make fixed annuity payments to one or two life annuitants. This comprehensive report discusses the origin of gift annuities, how they are designed and regulated, how charitable contribution deductions are determined, taxation of distributions to annuitants, taxation of gift annuities to issuing organizations, and creative planning opportunities for donors.  MORE »

In this article from The Journal of Gift Planning, Los Angeles attorney Reynolds Cafferata explores both the harm and benefit that may arise from enforceable pledge agreements, and reviews the many issues that should be considered in drafting an enforceable agreement that serves both the donor and the charity. He proposes alternatives to enforceable pledges, including the statement of intent to make a gift and the revocable enforceable pledge.  MORE »

Is there such a thing as a "simple" planned gift? In this article, Bloomington, Indiana gift planning consultant Pamela Jones Davidson discusses basic gift plans that every advisor can share with clients.  MORE »

A charitable remainder trust is a trust that provides for a specified distribution, at least annually, to at least one noncharitable income recipient for a period specified in the trust instrument, with the remainder interest paid to at least one charitable beneficiary. This 285-page, fully annotated text, by Marc D. Hoffman, provides a complete technical overview of CRTs, charitable contribution deductions, transfer tax considerations, operational and investment considerations, and cash Flow planning.  MORE »