how to donate stock to nonprofits from tdameritrade

by Prof. Clemens McCullough 6 min read

Set up a brokerage account with a low-fee provider such as Schwab or TD Ameritrade. Some brokers will give special deals, meaning low fees, to nonprofit organizations. Create a letter of instruction Create a standard instruction letter for stock donations that you can email, fax, and post on your website.

Full Answer

How do I donate stocks to charity?

Stock Donation Instructions for TD Ameritrade: Thank you for your consideration to support the END Fund in its mission to control and eliminate the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases that affect 1.5 billion people around the world. Prior to the initiation of your stock transfer, please note that donations without identification may

Should your nonprofit accept stock donations?

Gifts of stock to ICR can be transferred via our brokerage account at: TD Ameritrade 8401 N. Central Expy., Suite #110 Dallas, TX 75225 Should you need to speak personally with a TD Ameritrade broker representative, please contact our local branch office at (214) 706-4410 (direct) or (800) 669-3900 (toll-free).

Should you contribute stock to a donor-advised fund?

Dec 08, 2021 · Meanwhile, if you donate the stock directly to a charity, you pay no capital gains tax—and neither does it, assuming it’s a tax-exempt non-profit (the only kind you should be considering, really).

What are the tax benefits of donating stock?

Dec 26, 2014 · You also want to let the charity know who the stock is from you so you can get a receipt for the gift to keep in your tax files. Your gift will be counted on the date the stock is transferred, and...

image

How to donate stock to charity using a donor-advised fund

A donor-advised fund is perhaps the most streamlined way to donate appreciated securities. Donor-advised funds can be set up easily at some of the major institutions (e.g. TD Ameritrade, Fidelity) or with the help of your financial advisor.

Are stock donations tax deductible?

If you itemize your deductions, you can take a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset, up to 30% of AGI. There is a five-year carry forward for unused deductions. Only long-term securities are eligible (e.g. holding period of over one year).

Who should consider donating stock?

You can give a wide range of assets using a donor-advised fund. This includes publicly traded stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, to real estate and shares in a closely-held business.

Why Donate Stock to Charity?

If you’ve got a hefty investment portfolio flush with gains from the past couple of years, a stock donation may help you donate much more efficiently. This is especially true if you’re planning to sell off shares to fund your donation.

The Standard Deduction and Charitable Giving

When you’re planning out your donations for the year, you’ll want to keep in mind that the standard deduction for 2021 is $12,550 for single filers and $25,100 for married couples filing jointly ($12,950 and 25,900 in 2022, respectively).

Consider a Donor-Advised Fund

If you’re not ready to make a large donation of stock to charity, but still want to reap the tax benefits, you can open a donor-advised fund —which is like an investment account to support charities you care about—and move stock earmarked for donation into the fund.

Who Should Donate Stock?

Anyone with stock that has appreciated in value that they’ve held longer than one year should consider stock donations. The tax benefits, however, depend on your annual income.

How to Donate Stock to a Charity

If you want to donate stock to charity or transfer it to a donor-advised fund, you’ll want to move quickly. Many brokerages get slammed with transactions at the end of the year, and you won’t want any risk of missing out on tax benefits due to yours being completed after Dec. 31.

Who is Brian Beers?

Brian Beers is a digital editor, writer, Emmy-nominated producer, and content expert with 15+ years of experience writing about corporate finance & accounting, fundamental analysis, and investing. Giving stock, instead of cash, as a donation to an organization can greatly benefit both parties. You will find that many charities, hospitals, schools, ...

Can you give stock instead of cash?

Giving stock, instead of cash, as a donation to an organization can greatly benefit both parties. You will find that many charities, hospitals, schools, and other nonprofit organizations will accept stock as a gift or donation.

Can you donate stock to avoid capital gains tax?

If the stock has increased in value from the time of purchase, the owner can avoid paying the capital gains tax by donating the security to another party. When the security is being donated to a charitable organization, the total amount will still be eligible for a tax deduction. Since taxation is avoided on the stock donation, the giver will be able to make a larger donation.

Can I donate stock to a non profit?

Many non-profits, such as hospitals, schools, and various other organizations, will accept stock as a gift or donation. Giving stock often results in a larger donation to the organization, as the gift is tax-deductible and there are no capital gains taxes to pay.

Can a charity donate stock without paying taxes?

This way, the charity can sell the stock and use the funds for the charitable purpose without having to pay taxes on the gain. If you have a stock with a built-in loss, do not donate it "in kind.". Instead, sell the stock and take the loss on your personal tax return.

Can you deduct a stock that has been held for less than a year?

Otherwise, if it was held for less than a year, your deduction is limited to the cost basis. Meanwhile, if you're holding a stock that is trading for less than you paid for it, it’s usually better to sell first before donating the cash to charity. This allows you to take the loss for tax purposes.

Should I donate my stock if it's lost?

If your stock has risen in value since purchase, donating it directly is preferable, but if it's lost value, it may be more advantageous to sell it first and then donate the profits, so the giver can take the tax loss.

When do stock donations have to be reported?

Stock donations are outright gifts, so must be reported as soon as the assets are transferred to your organization. Whether intentional or not, failure to follow the rules could result in financial penalties as well as a loss of reputation and trust in the community.

What to include in a stock donation letter?

It will include your business name, broker name, account number, transfer number, fax, and phone number.

What is the best practice for a non profit?

The best and most commonly used practice is to sell all stock immediately upon receipt. Nonprofits generally want to avoid the appearance of speculating on the stock market. This approach helps the organization avoid risk, and it converts the securities to cash to maintain operational cash flow.

What is Amnesty International?

Amnesty International - Lists the broker details for a stock transfer and the information required in a separate email or phone call. Before you put one of those pages on your nonprofit’s website, you’ll want to take a few steps first: Set up a brokerage account.

What are the rules of 501c3?

One of the things that nonprofits falling under the rules of 501 (c) (3) organizations learn quickly is that they have to handle reporting and money wisely. Nonprofits have to make ends meet just like any other organization but failing to follow certain rules could have significant consequences.

Who is Todd Kimball?

Todd Kimball is a Partner with CFO Selections and leads the non-profit practice in Oregon and SW Washington. He is also the Accounting Solutions Partners practice leader in Oregon and SW Washington.

Do you have to record stock transfer in GAAP?

Since you own the securities on the date of receipt, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) require that you record the asset in your books at the fair market value on that date. It can be difficult to obtain all of the information you need for your records from a stock transfer notice in your broker account, which is why it’s helpful to ask donors to fill out a Stock Donation Form or give you a call with some additional information.

image