Saratoga Federated Foundation

Real estate is one of the most widely-held assets - a personal residence, mountain cottage, beach home, vacation condo, commercial buildings or land. It's a logical choice for many who wish to make a donation to Saratoga Federated Church.

Features and Benefits of Making Gifts of Real Property

Charitable deduction
For federal income tax purposes, the value of your charitable deduction for a gift of real estate to SFC of real estate you've owned for more than one year is the full fair market value of that real estate on the date you gift it.
Avoids Capital Gains Tax
If the fair market value of gifted real estate is greater than your cost basis in that real estate, then by gifting it to SFC you also avoid capital gains tax that would have been levied against such increase in value had you sold the real estate yourself and realized that gain. Estate tax savings as well as avoiding probate are other possible benefits.
Deductibility
Gifts of real estate held for more than one year are deductible up to 30% of your federal adjusted gross income for the year - and if your gift exceeds that 30%, then you may deduct the excess over the following five years, again up to 30% of your adjusted gross income for each carry-over year.
Appraisal requirements
If the value of your charitable deduction for your gift of real estate is greater than $500, your income tax return must be accompanied by a completed federal Form 8283/Noncash Charitable Contributions detailing your gift of real estate. If the value of such charitable contribution is greater than $5,000, you must obtain an independent qualified appraisal of your gifted real estate to accompany your Form 8283 in order to substantiate your income tax deduction - we'll help you get one.

About Inspections Before the Gift

SFC is not exempt from environmental laws and regulations governing real estate. So, before we may accept any gift of real estate, we must inspect the real estate you wish to donate so that we are satisfied that no potential violations of environmental laws and regulations are present.

How It's Done

A gift of real estate is made when you execute and deliver to SFC Foundation a deed to that real estate - we can help you prepare one and we can take care of recording the deed.

Deeding just a remainder interest to SFC Foundation

One of the best ways to generate a large current income tax charitable deduction for yourself - while still retaining complete control and custody of your real estate during your lifetime is to deed a remainder trust to SFC Foundation in your personal residence, vacation home or other real estate. For more information on this type of giving, please contact one of the Foundation members at the links above.

An Example

John and Mary Smith bought a vacation home 20 years ago for $100,000. They no longer use it and wish to donate it to their church. The home has grown in value to $350,000. If they sell their home outright and then make a gift, they will owe up to a 20 percent capital gains tax on the $250,000 appreciation, or $50,000.

If the Smiths choose to give their home to their church, they will receive the following benefits:
  • $350,000 tax deduction
  • Bypass the federal capital gains tax
  • Provide long-term support for SFC's ministry
 

Contact

Accounting Manager

Saratoga Federated Church
14370 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408)867-1000 x241
FAX: (408)867-6012

Links


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