Real Estate | ACLS American Council of Learned Societies

The benefits and responsibilities of real estate ownership

Owning real estate has many benefits. Appreciation is perhaps the most desirable of them from a financial perspective. Over time, however, the benefit of appreciation can be overshadowed by the responsibilities of real estate ownership. Selling is always an option, but an often overlooked option, with considerable financial benefits, is giving the property to ACLS.

Selling a property owned for many years can result in excessive taxes. A significant portion of the sale proceeds may be lost to taxes.

Giving to ACLS and saving taxes

There is an alternative to selling and paying taxes! Make a gift of your real estate instead and save taxes, and, if you wish, create a new stream of income. When you give a property either directly to ACLS or to a charitable remainder trust that will ultimately benefit ACLS, your tax and financial benefits are likely to be considerable.

Ways You Can Give Real Estate

An Outright Gift - Give your real estate directly to ACLS. While ACLS will need to determine if the property is suitable for it to accept the transfer itself requires little more than a deed. You will receive an income tax charitable deduction for the fair market value of your gift and escape all taxes on the capital gains.

A Gift in Your Will or Revocable Living Trust - If you wish to retain control of your property but make a gift after your passing, a provision in your will or revocable trust can give the real estate to ACLS from your estate. Should your needs change, you may revoke the gift.

A Gift in Exchange for Income - If you wish to give your property to ACLS, but are looking to create an income stream, you can transfer the property into a tax-exempt charitable remainder trust. You will receive an income tax charitable deduction for a portion of the fair market value of the property. The trust will sell the property and no taxes will be due. All the proceeds from sale will be invested. You will receive payments for life. When the trust terminates, the remaining assets will go to benefit ACLS.

A Gift of Some But Not All - You can give a percentage interest in your property to ACLS and keep the remaining interest. This will result in an income tax charitable deduction for the fair market value of the interest you give to ACLS. It is possible for ACLS and you to sell the property, with both receiving cash proceeds. You can use your charitable deduction to offset capital gain taxes from the sale of the interest you retained. You can also give a percentage interest in your property to a charitable remainder trust, which will generate an income stream for you once the property is sold.