A charitable remainder trust, also called a CRT, is a type of irrevocable trust used in estate planning. It allows the grantor or the grantor’s designated income beneficiaries to receive income for life, or for a period of years, from appreciated property donated to a charitable organization. Upon the death of the grantor or termination of the trust, the charity keeps the property, called the remainder.
If you have no children, siblings, parents or other heirs to whom you wish to leave your estate and need to receive an income from your property while you are alive, a charitable remainder trust may be the right form of trust for your estate plan.
Advantages of CRT's
1. You pay no capital gains taxes on appreciated property you donate to the trust. 2. The property donated to the trust can be sold and reinvested in a higher yielding, more diversified portfolio. 3. You or your designated income beneficiaries receive a stable income from the trust for life or a period of years. 4. You receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of the value of the property donated to charity. 5. The assets placed in trust pass directly to the charitable organization upon your death and avoid probate. 6. By removing the donated property from your estate, you may reduce or eliminate estate taxes.
While a charitable remainder trust offers many advantages, there may be other types of trusts more suitable for your estate planning objectives. Consult an attorney about your unique circumstances.
Planning Tips for CRT's
The charity that receives property in a charitable remainder trust must be one approved by the IRS. This generally means the charity must be a tax exempt 501c3 organization. Many universities, hospitals, and other charitable organizations have planned giving programs that assist donors wishing to establish a this type of trust. Most brokerage firms and financial advisors have programs to assist their clients with estate planning trusts and tax saving strategies.
The use of a Charitable Remainder Trust may be coupled with an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust as a way of replacing the value of the donated assets for the benefit of your heirs.
It is important to be aware a charitable remainder trust is irrevocable. You cannot get your property back after you transfer it to the trust. If there is any possibility you will need the property during your lifetime, you should carefully consider whether this is the right estate planning strategy for you. Discuss your income plan with a financial planner to determine whether the income from the trust will be adequate to meet your needs or those of your designated income beneficiary.
Donations to a charitable organization can have certain tax benefits but should only be made after consultation with a tax professional. This is not the type of trust you can create using a do it yourself online estate planning form. Charitable trusts are complex. You will need an estate planning attorney to draft the trust agreement and assist you with funding your trust. To learn more about tax saving strategies that may benefit your estate, see Charitable Giving.
Written by certified financial planner, Daniel G. Nigito, The Power of Leveraging the Charitable Remainder Trust explains how charitable leverage can be used to gain huge financial advantages. Using the CRT and cash value life insurance, the author shows how you can increase current income, reduce taxes, protect assets, build a supplemental retirement plan, and support favorite charities.
How to Use a Charitable Remainder Trust
There are different types of charitable remainder trusts. The provisions of a charitable remainder trust or CRT will vary depending on the grantor’s estate planning objectives. To establish a CRT, the grantor must first choose a qualified charitable entity to receive the gift. When the trust is created, a trustee is appointed to manage the trust. The grantor transfers property to the trust. The charitable organization often serves as the trustee. The trustee may sell the donated property and reinvest it in other income-producing investments. The trust agreement requires the trustee to pay the grantor or his designated income beneficiaries a percentage of the trust assets for life or a term of years. When the trust ends or the grantor dies, the principal in the trust passes to the charity.
Property Used to Fund a CRT
One of the most common questions about making a charitable remainder trust is what type of property should be used to fund the trust. The greatest advantage can be gained from a CRT when it is funded with a highly appreciated asset, such as appreciated stock in which you have a low cost basis. However, you can also fund this type of trust with cash, other types of securities, or real estate.
Charitable Remainder Trust Guide
Harnessing the Power of the Charitable Remainder Trust is a comprehensive reference guide on charitable remainder trusts. It provides detailed information on all the essential issues involved in this method of planned giving including: converting appreciated assets to income, selecting the annuity rate or payment rate, charitable deductions, gift taxes, estate taxes, selecting a trustee, valuation and appraisal requirements, and tax return requirements. Information on permissible charitable remaindermen is included.
If you want to know what types of property may be used to fund a charitable remainder trust, Harnessing the Power of the Charitable Remainder Trust provides a list of suitable gift assets along with an analysis of how these assets work in the context of the trust. It provides extensive information on the laws and regulations applicable to charitable remainder trusts, including IRS rulings and code sections. Relevant tax forms are also discussed.
Harnessing the Power of the Charitable Remainder Trust by Marc Hoffman covers the rules applicable to charitable remainder trusts from A to Z. It also features sample forms of charitable remainder annuity trusts and charitable remainder unitrusts. Whether you are drafting a charitable remainder trust or need to administer one, this is the go to guide.
is a comprehensive reference guide on charitable remainder trusts. It provides detailed information on all the essential issues involved in this method of planned giving including: converting appreciated assets to income, selecting the annuity rate or payment rate, charitable deductions, gift taxes, estate taxes, selecting a trustee, valuation and appraisal requirements, and tax return requirements. Information on permissible charitable remaindermen is included.
If you want to know what types of property may be used to fund a charitable remainder trust, 