Tag Archives: charitable giving

Unique CLT Opportunity in 2012

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Tonight’s first presidential debate signals that the 2012 election is fast approaching.  Regardless of the occupant in the oval office in 2012, tax changes are inevitable. Leon C. LaBrecque addresses many of your concerns in his article, The Perfect Storm: Prospective Expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts. For example, LaBrecque concludes:

“Charitable lead trusts are very attractive for 2012. The ‘Tax Storm’ of 2012 has a wide-reaching and profound effect on individuals, particularly those with charitable intent. The current historically low interest rates provide an unprecedented opportunity for Charitable Lead Trusts, excluded gifts, or low interest rate loans. The possible expiration of the Bush tax cuts make it an imperative for taxpayers with estates larger than $1M to sit down with advisors and make a determined plan of action. If the cuts expire, individuals will have a very narrow window of opportunity to utilize the $5.12M exclusions, the GST exemptions, and the benefits of the current law. This is a year in which pre-planning is crucially important. And, in the off chance that the estate tax is repealed and the income tax rates are permanently lowered to the tax cut rates (in which case we will have a whole new set of problems), the overall family and charity situation has been reviewed and carefully considered.”

As you listen to the debates and decide how you should vote consider your tax situation and explore whether the charitable lead trust is a sound option.  The Stewardship Foundation has developed many charitable lead trusts, charitable remainder trusts and donor advised funds for our clients.  Please contact us so we can assist you to optimize this unique opportunity.

Purpose of The Stewardship Foundation…

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One guiding question that permeates our thinking at the Stewardship Foundation is “where is your heart?”. Within this question several others beg to be asked, such as, “what is the treasure you seek?”; “how much wealth is enough for you and your family?” and, “what does God expect of you?”.

We want people to examine their motives and know where their hearts are leading them.  No doubt you have heard it said that you can tell what motivates people by examining where they spend their money and how they spend their time.  Our hope at the SF is to encourage people to spend some of their money to help worthy charities and non-profit organizations.  A firm financial principle of the SF is that one’s first responsibility is to his or her family.  Therefore, we work with our clients to identify what is necessary for that foundational responsibility.  However, we want to alleviate the fear that one never has enough wealth leading him or her  to “build a bigger barn”.  If one does plan and invest wisely, then he or she will be able to provide comfortably for his or her family.

We believe that God does expect us to use our gifts, talents, and wealth for the welfare of others. In fact, Scripture tells us that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”  This adage in God’s word can be challenging to the one with abundant means, however, we must also believe that God is not out done in generosity. The morally conscious investing that the SF promotes believes that you the investor should be a wise steward of what you have been given and, we must be good stewards of the trust you place in us.  Stewardship works when people identify where their hearts and passions lead them.  Stewardship works when one is willing to seek, and share the treasure God desires for you.  Stewardship works when you realistically define what is necessary to provide for your family now and in the future. And, most importantly, stewardship works when you honor what God expects of you.

This journey of financial stewardship involves a process of understanding, acknowledging, accepting, and acting.  We embrace the opportunity to partner with you on this journey.