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Giving Stocks and Other Securities

You may be able to realize substantial tax benefits by donating appreciated assets to a non-profit organization.

Regardless of short-term ups and downs, the value of many investments has risen dramatically over the past several years. As a result, you may be holding property that would generate significant capital gains taxes if sold. You can avoid those taxes while helping WMRA and WEMC continue to bring you the finest in public radio programming.

If you have publicly-traded securities, e.g. stocks, bonds or mutual funds, that have increased in value and you have owned for more than one year, you could claim an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities. In addition, you will most likely avoid all capital gains tax that would have been due upon their sale. To realize these tax benefits, you must transfer the assets directly to WMRA rather than selling them.

For example, if Ms. Doe gives $10,000 in IBM stock to WMRA, she may take as her deduction the full $10,000 value of the stock. If she paid only $5,000 for the stock, her deduction is still for the full $10,000, and she pays no tax on the $5,000 capital gain.

We cannot give specific legal or tax advice. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, the amount of capital gains tax avoided by giving property varies depending on how long it has been owned. Ask your professional advisor for details.

Please call or write Scott Lowe loweem@jmu.edu  for more information: 
Scott Lowe - Membership Director
WMRA-WEMC Public Radio, 983 Reservoir St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801

(540) 568-6221 or (800) 877-9672

All Planned Gift Options