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Charitable Remainder Trusts

  1. Charitable Remainder Trusts
  2. About This Presentation
  3. Congratulations!
  4. Benefits Of CRT
  5. How CRT Works (1)
  6. How CRT Works (2)
  7. How CRT Works (3)
  8. Example: Max and Jane Brody
  9. Example: Income After Sale Without CRT
  10. Example: Income After Sale With CRT
  11. Income Choices
  12. Unitrust
  13. Annuity Trust
  14. Trust Income Options
  15. Income Tax Deduction
  16. Which Assets Are Best?
  17. Who Can Be Trustee?
  18. You Still Have Some Control
  19. “What About My Children?”
  20. Beneficiary Analysis: Without CRT
  21. Beneficiary Analysis: With CRT
  22. Replace Asset With Life Insurance
  23. Beneficiary Analysis: With CRT + LIT
  24. Life Insurance You Own Is Included In Your Taxable Estate
  25. Life Insurance: Inexpensive Way to Replace Asset
  26. Benefits of Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
  27. Income Comparison
  28. Summary Comparison
  29. Benefits Of CRT
  30. 5-Step Action Plan
  31. Peace Of Mind

1. Charitable Remainder Trusts

Hello. I’d like to welcome you to our presentation entitled, “Understanding Charitable Remainder Trusts.”

Before we get started, there are a few things I’d like to tell you about this presentation.

2. About This Presentation

First, it will only take you about 35 minutes to go through this presentation.

Second, you may want to take notes.

Third, all of this information will be explained in plain, clear English so you can understand it. You will learn a few legal terms along the way, but you’ll also learn what they mean.

And fourth, you may want to write down your questions–especially how a CRT would affect your specific situation–so you can ask your attorney later.

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3. Congratulations!

The next thing I’d like to do is congratulate you. Why? Because by viewing this presentation, you’re taken a big step forward. Unlike a lot of people who procrastinate and never seem to find the time, you are becoming informed about something that could be very important for you and your family. And I think you’ll be glad you did.

Since 1969, countless families have used charitable remainder trusts to increase their income, save taxes and benefit charities.

Why are they so popular?

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4. Benefits Of CRT

A charitable remainder trust lets you convert an appreciated asset (like stocks or real estate) into a lifetime income.

It reduces your income taxes now and your estate taxes when you die.

You pay no capital gains tax when the asset is sold.

Plus, it lets you help one or more charities that have special meaning to you.

Let’s look at how a charitable remainder trust works.

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5. How CRT Works (1)

You transfer the appreciated asset into an irrevocable trust.

This removes the asset from your estate, so no estate taxes will be due on it when you die. You also receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction.

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6. How CRT Works (2)

The trustee of the trust sells the asset at full market value, and reinvests the proceeds in income-producing assets. There is no capital gains tax because the trust is exempt from paying them. The trust then pays you an income for the rest of your life.

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7. How CRT Works (3)

After you die, the charity or charities you have specified will receive the assets that are left in the trust. That’s why it’s called a charitable remainder trust – the charity receives the remainder of the trust assets.

You may be thinking, “Why not just sell the asset and invest the proceeds myself?”

Of course, you could, but you would pay more in taxes and there would be less income for you. Let’s look at just one example.

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8. Example: Max And Jane Brody

Meet Max and Jane Brody. He’s 65 and she’s 63. He is planning to retire soon and they would like to convert an asset they have been holding for several years into retirement income.

Their combined life expectancy is 26 years; in other words, according to statistics, at least one of them should live for 26 more years.

They are currently in a 35% income tax bracket.

The asset they would like to sell is some stock that is currently valued at $500,000. Their cost basis, what they paid for the stock, is $100,000. They would like to earn 5% from this asset.

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9. Example: Income After Sale Without CRT

If they sell the stock for its full market value of $500,000 as shown here, they would have a gain of $400,000 and would have to pay $60,000* in capital gains tax –15% of $400,000 is $60,000. That would leave them with $440,000 to reinvest.

Using a 5% return, this would provide them with an annual income of $22,000. If we multiply this by their life expectancy of 26 years, we get a total lifetime income before taxes of $572,000. Of course, there is no charitable tax deduction if they sell the stock themselves. And because they still own the assets, there is no protection from creditors.

*NOTE: The top capital gains rate on assets held for more than 12 months is now 15%.

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10. Example: Income After Sale With CRT

If they transfer the stock to a charitable remainder trust instead, they can take an immediate charitable income tax deduction of $90,357,** which will reduce their current income taxes by $31,625.*** The deduction can be used against 30% of their adjusted gross income for the year. If they can’t use all of the income tax deduction in the year they transfer the asset to the trust, they can carry it forward for an additional five years.

The trustee will then sell the stock for $500,000. But because the trust is exempt from paying capital gains tax, the full $500,000 is left to reinvest instead of $440,000.

If we use the same 5% annual return, that would provide Max and Jane with $25,000 in annual income which, before taxes, will total $650,000* over their lifetimes. That’s $78,000 more in income than if they had sold the stock themselves. And, because the assets are in an irrevocable trust, they are protected from creditors.

Now let’s look at a few more things you should know.

NOTES: *Actual income may be higher or lower, depending on investment performance. **Based on 5.0% Unitrust (annual payout) at 3.0 Section 7520 rate. ***$90,357 x 35% income tax rate = $31,625.

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11. Income Choices

You have two choices of how to receive income from the trust.

You can elect to receive a fixed percentage of the trust assets, like Max and Jane did. In this case, your trust would be called a charitable remainder unitrust.

Or you can receive a fixed dollar amount, and your trust would be called a charitable remainder annuity trust.

NOTE: With either the unitrust or annuity trust, the IRS requires that the payout rate stated in the trust document cannot be less than 5% or more than 50% of the initial fair market value of the trust’s assets.

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12. Unitrust

If you choose the unitrust and receive a percentage of the trust’s earnings, the amount of your annual income will fluctuate, depending on investment performance and the annual value of the trust.

The trust will be revalued at the beginning of each year to determine the dollar amount of income you will receive.

If the trust is well managed, it can grow quickly because the trust assets grow tax-free. So the amount of your income will increase as the value of the trust grows.

Sometimes the assets contributed to the trust-like real estate or stock in a closely held corporation are not readily marketable, so income is difficult to pay.

In that case, the trust can be designed to pay the lesser of the fixed percentage of the trust’s assets or the actual income earned by the trust. Usually a provision is included so that, if the trust has an off year, it will

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13. Annuity Trust

If you choose the annuity trust, the amount of your income does not fluctuate. This means it will not decrease if the trust has an off year, but it also will not increase if the trust does well.

An annuity trust is usually a good option at older ages. While it does not provide protection against inflation like the unitrust does, some people like the security of being able to count on a definite amount of income each year.

It is best to use readily marketable assets like stocks to fund an annuity trust. You could also use cash.

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14. Trust Income Options

Who can receive this income? There is some flexibility here. It can be paid to you for your lifetime or, if you are married like Max and Jane, the income can be paid for as long as either of you lives.

The income can also be paid to your children for their lifetimes, or to any other person or entity you wish, provided the trust meets certain requirements.* In addition, there are gift and estate tax considerations if someone other than you or your spouse receives the income.

Instead of lasting for someone’s lifetime, the trust can also exist for a set number of years – up to 20. And, income from the trust is generally taxable in the year it is required to be paid.

By the way, you don’t have to take the income now. You can set up the trust and enjoy the income tax deduction now, but postpone taking an income until later. By then, the trust assets, with good management, will have appreciated considerably in value, resulting in more income for you.

*NOTE: The charitable income tax deduction computed at the time of the gift must be at least 10% of the value transferred.

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15. Income Tax Deduction

Now, how much will your charitable income tax deduction be?

That will depend on the amount of income you receive, the size and type of asset you gift, and the ages and number of people who receive income from the trust.

Basically, the higher the payout rate, the lower your deduction will be.

In addition, your annual deduction is usually limited to 30% or 50% of your adjusted gross income.*

And, remember, if you cannot use the entire tax deduction in the year you make the gift, you can carry it forward for up to five additional years.

*NOTE: The deduction will vary from 20% to 50% AGI, depending on how the IRS defines the charity and type of asset involved. Generally, the deduction for appreciated property is limited to 30% of AGI and unappreciated property to 50% AGI.

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16. Which Assets Are Best?

What kinds of assets are best suited for a charitable remainder trust?

The best assets are those that have greatly appreciated in value since you purchased them, specifically publicly traded securities, real estate and stock in some closely held corporations. Cash can also be used.

Stock in an S-corporation does not qualify. Mortgaged real estate usually won’t qualify, either, although you could consider paying off the loan.

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17. Who Can Be Trustee?

Now, who can be trustee? Remember, when you set up the trust, you’ll need to name a trustee to manage the trust assets.

You can be your own trustee or name another individual if you wish. But you must be sure the trust is administered properly – otherwise, you could lose the tax advantages and/or be penalized. Most people who name themselves as trustee have the paperwork handled by a “third-party administrator.”

Because of the experience required with investments, accounting and government reporting, some people choose a corporate trustee – that’s a bank or trust company that specializes in managing trusts. Some charities are also willing to act as trustee.

If you set up a unitrust, the amount of your income will depend on the trustee’s investment performance. So make sure the trustee you choose has a good investment record.

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18. You Still Have Some Control

You’re probably wondering if you will have any control. After all, this is an irrevocable trust, so once you set up the trust and transfer the asset to it, you cannot change your mind. Even so, you will keep some control.

First, for as long as you live, the trustee you select – not the charity – controls the trust assets. Your trustee must follow the instructions you put in your trust. And the trustee’s primary responsibility is to you, not to the charity.

Next, you can retain the right to change the trustee if you become dissatisfied.

And finally, you can change the charitable beneficiary of the trust to another qualified charity without losing the tax advantages.

So, now you know how a charitable remainder trust works and about the many benefits it can provide for you. But some of you may be thinking, “Sounds great for me, but…”

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19. “What About My Children?”

What about my children? If I’ve given away the asset, what’s left for my family?”

Let’s go back to our example with Max and Jane for just a minute and take a look at this.

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20. Beneficiary Analysis: Without CRT

As we showed you earlier, if the Brodys sell the stock themselves, they would have $440,000 left to reinvest after paying the capital gains tax.

There may also be estate taxes when they die. If we assume in our example that the Brodys will have to pay estate taxes at a rate of 55%, $242,000 will go to pay federal estate taxes, leaving the Brody children with $198,000.

You are probably aware that, in 2010, there is currently no federal estate tax. However, Congress may reinstate it at any time, possibly extending the 2009 law that had an exemption of $3.5 million and a tax rate of 45%. If Congress does nothing, the federal estate tax will automatically return in 2011 with a $1 million exemption and a 55% tax rate. We don’t know when Congress will act and what it will do, but since it looks like this tax is still in our future, it is important to understand how it can impact your family. Also, some states have their own death/inheritance tax, so you could be exempt from the federal estate tax and still have to pay a state tax.

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21. Beneficiary Analysis: With CRT

On the other hand, if they transfer the property to a charitable remainder trust, as shown on the right, they won’t have to pay any capital gains or estate taxes, but there also isn’t anything left for their children. Remember, when the Brodys die, whatever is left in the trust will go to charity.

If you have a sizeable estate, the property you place in a charitable remainder trust may be a small percentage of your assets, so your children may be well taken care of.

But if you are concerned about replacing the value of this property for your children, there is a very easy way to do so.

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22. Replace Asset With Life Insurance

You can take the income tax savings and part of the income you receive from the charitable remainder trust, as shown here, and fund an irrevocable life insurance trust.

Each year you can give money to the insurance trust and the trustee can purchase enough life insurance to replace the value of the asset for your children when you die.

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23. Beneficiary Analysis: With CRT + LIT

Now, let’s look at the effect on the Brody children.

When we add in the death proceeds from the insurance trust, the children will receive $500,000 – the full market value of the stock. This is two and a half times more than they would have received if the Brodys had sold the stock themselves.

Now, why would you want to use a life insurance trust? Why not just purchase the insurance yourself?

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24. Life Insurance You Own Is Included In Your Taxable Estate

You may not know this, but as this chart illustrates, the life insurance you own is included in your taxable estate, along with your other assets such as your home, other real estate, and so on.

So if you buy the insurance yourself, you just increase the value of your estate and the amount of estate taxes that must be paid when you die. The estate tax is a very expensive tax. Historically, it has been 45-55%. Remember, currently in 2010 there is no federal estate tax. However, it is scheduled to return in 2011 with a $1 million exemption and a 55% tax rate.

With a life insurance trust, the trust owns the insurance
for you. So this insurance will not be included in your taxable estate…which will reduce the size of your estate and the amount of estate taxes that will be owed when you die.

Even if you don’t use a charitable remainder trust, you may want to have a life insurance trust to keep your insurance out of your estate.

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25. Life Insurance: Inexpensive Way To Replace Asset

Next, for most people, life insurance is the least expensive and quickest way to replace the asset you transfer to the charitable remainder trust.

For example, based on their ages and health, it would cost Max and Jane only $93,258* in premium to purchase $500,000 in life insurance. That’s enough to replace the FULL value of the asset transferred to the charitable remainder trust.

You can see that life insurance provides excellent leverage. For every dollar they spend in premium, the Brodys can generate almost $5.40 in life insurance proceeds for their children.

And remember, with life insurance, the proceeds are available immediately. So, even if both Max and Jane die tomorrow, their children would receive the full $500,000, without probate, and completely free from income and estate taxes.

*NOTE: Premium (for a male, age 65 and a female age 63) is based on a second-to-die policy, using all whole life, from an AAA rated insurance company.

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26. Benefits Of Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

So, now you know that life insurance can be an inexpensive way to replace the gifted asset. Using a life insurance trust will keep the proceeds out of your taxable estate, so the proceeds will go to your children free of probate, with no income or estate taxes.

Using a life insurance trust will also give you more control.

You could name someone else as the owner of the policy – that would also keep it out of your taxable estate. But then you would have no control over the insurance. The person you name as owner could change the beneficiary, withdraw all the cash value or even cancel the policy.

With a life insurance trust, you minimize these risks. Plus you can keep control over when your children will receive the proceeds. For example, instead of getting all that money at one time, you could have them receive it in installments. You can keep the proceeds in the trust for years, making periodic distributions to your children and grandchildren. And any proceeds that remain in the trust are protected from irresponsible spending and creditors…even spouses.

Now, let’s look at how paying the insurance premium will affect the Brody’s income.

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27. Income Comparison

Remember, as shown on the right, the charitable remainder trust will pay the Brodys $650,000 in lifetime income.

When you add in the income tax savings of $31,625 and subtract the insurance premium of $93,258, that still leaves them with $588,367 of income – $16,367 more than if they had sold the stock themselves, as shown on the left.

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28. Summary Comparison

This combination of a charitable remainder trust and a life insurance trust is a winning situation for everyone.

Even after paying the insurance premium to replace the asset for their children, Max and Jane increase their lifetime income by more than $16,000 – to $588,367.

Their children will receive $500,000, the full value of the stock. That’s more than twice what they would have received if the Brodys had sold the stock themselves, and paid capital gains and estate taxes.

Plus, Max and Jane are able to make a substantial gift – $500,000 – to their favorite charity, which they may not have been able to do without the charitable remainder trust.

We’ve covered quite a bit of information in this presentation. Let’s briefly summarize the benefits of a charitable remainder trust.

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29. Benefits Of CRT

As you have seen, using a charitable remainder trust lets you convert an appreciated asset into a lifetime income.

You are able to reduce your current income taxes because you receive a charitable income tax deduction in the year you transfer the asset to the trust.

You reduce estate taxes that may be due when you die because transferring the asset to the charitable remainder trust removes it from your taxable estate.

You pay no capital gains tax when the asset is sold because the trust – not you – sells the asset.

You receive more income over your lifetime than if you had sold the asset yourself and invested the proceeds.

By using a life insurance trust to replace the full value of the asset, your children receive much more than if you had sold the asset yourself and had paid capital gains and estate taxes.

And, finally, you are able to make a sizeable gift to one or more charities that have special meaning to you.

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30. Five-Step Action Plan

A charitable remainder trust should be part of your overall estate plan. If you’re wondering where to begin, just follow our five-step action plan:

1. Inventory your assets and debts. Find out the current market value of your assets and what you paid for them, so you can determine which of your assets would be best for a charitable remainder trust. Remember, assets that have appreciated greatly since you purchased them are the best ones to use.

2. Write down your objectives. Decide whom you want to receive the income and which charity or charities you would like to help.

3. Select a professional to help. This should be someone with whom you will be comfortable sharing this information and who can answer your questions, help with your decisions and help you put your plan in place.

4. Have the legal documents prepared.

5. Put your plan into action, by transferring the asset into the charitable remainder trust, and setting up and funding an irrevocable life insurance trust if you choose to use one.

Now, I’d like to leave you with one final thought…

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31. Peace Of Mind

When you take the time to put together a good estate plan with a qualified professional, you’ll have the best benefit of all – PEACE OF MIND.

You’ll be able to relax with your family and friends, knowing you’ve done the right thing for you and your family.

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