What Constitutes a Charitable Gift?
4 key tests
Key Takeaways:
Regardless of its size or its benefit to a charity, any transfer that does not meet the definition of a charitable gift for tax purposes will generate no charitable deduction.
Giving money to a specific person—no matter how badly he or she needs it—is not considered a charitable gift for tax purposes.
For tax planning purposes, make sure you know the difference between the date a check is written for a charitable gift, the date the check is sent and the date it is actually received.
Understanding what a charitable gift is--and when a charitable gift is made--seems obvious. However, this simple concept can become quite complex. Charitable gifts can generate income tax deductions. Applying that knowledge requires knowing what constitutes a charitable gift for tax purposes. Regardless of its size or its benefit to a charity, any transfer that does not meet the definition of a charitable gift for tax purposes will generate no charitable deduction.
So let’s begin by looking at what a charitable gift is for tax purposes and then consider examples of transfers that are not charitable gifts for tax purposes.
A deductible charitable gift occurs when the donor delivers money or valuable property to a charity or agent of the charity. That’s it. There is nothing particularly complicated about the definition (except perhaps the phrase “agent of the charity,” which simply means a representative of the charity). How then could things possibly become complicated when starting with such a simple definition?
Examples of gifts that don’t qualify for tax deductions:
The first example of an action that is not a charitable gift for income tax purposes is a promise to deliver money or valuable property in the future. A promise is not a gift. Even if the promise is a legally enforceable written contract, it is still just a promise. So, it is not a gift—at least not yet. Once the promise is fulfilled and the donor actually delivers money or valuable property to the charity (or agent of the charity), then—and only then—the definition of a gift is met.
Another example of an action that is not a completed gift is when a donor gives money or valuable property to the donor’s agent (i.e., the donor’s representative) with instructions to deliver the gift to a charity or an agent of the charity. Because the money or valuable property is still in the hands of the donor’s representative, it has not yet become a completed gift. Once the money or valuable property is given to the charity (or the charity’s representative/agent), then—and only then—is there a deductible charitable gift.
Another example that does not qualify as a charitable gift for tax purposes is when the donor delivers money or valuable property to the charity but still retains prohibited control over the money, even after the transfer to the charity. This retained control prevents the gift from being deductible until such time as the retained interests expire or are also given to the charity. This area is a bit more complicated because there are specific retained interests that are permitted by the tax code. Nevertheless, the general rule is that if a donor retains rights to control the money or get the money back, such a transfer is not (or at least not yet) a charitable gift.
The last example of a transfer that is not a deductible gift is when a donor delivers money or valuable property to a charity for delivery to a specific person. A person is not a charity. Any person, even a person in serious financial or medical need, is not a charity. Giving money to a specific person is not a charitable gift for tax purposes. This fundamental rule cannot be avoided by simply giving money to a charity with the requirement that the money must then be delivered to a specific person. Such a transfer is treated as if it were a direct transfer to the person. Since a person is not a charity, the transfer is not a deductible charitable gift.
Conclusion
As with so many things in life, timing is everything when it comes to tax-efficient charitable giving. If you or someone close to you has concerns about the tax implications of their planned giving, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help.
Robert J. Pyle, CFP®, CFA is president of Diversified Asset Management, Inc. (DAMI). DAMI is licensed as an investment adviser with the State of Colorado Division of Securities, and its investment advisory representatives are licensed by the State of Colorado. DAMI will only transact business in other states to the extent DAMI has made the requisite notice filings or obtained the necessary licensing in such state. No follow up or individualized responses to persons in other jurisdictions that involve either rendering or attempting to render personalized investment advice for compensation will be made absent compliance with applicable legal requirements, or an applicable exemption or exclusion. It does not constitute investment or tax advice. To contact Robert, call 303-440-2906 or e-mail info@diversifiedassetmanagement.com.
The views, opinion, information and content provided here are solely those of the respective authors, and may not represent the views or opinions of Diversified Asset Management, Inc. The selection of any posts or articles should not be regarded as an explicit or implicit endorsement or recommendation of any such posts or articles, or services provided or referenced and statements made by the authors of such posts or articles. Diversified Asset Management, Inc. cannot guarantee the accuracy or currency of any such third party information or content, and does not undertake to verify or update such information or content. Any such information or other content should not be construed as investment, legal, accounting or tax advice.