CASE STRATEGY: The Connors Save $24,000 in Taxes While Benefiting Charity

Are your clients frustrated by their high tax bill this year? They may be interested in a charitable tax deduction next year, but are unsure which charity or charities they'd like to benefit.

This Case Strategy shows how Michael and Katelyn Connor transfer highly-appreciated securities to a Donor-Advised Fund in order to decrease their tax liability and benefit charities to be named in later years.

Waiting on a Tax Return From Another Administrator?

RENAISSANCE AT UPCOMING EVENT: AiP's Conference in Philanthropy 2010

Don't miss the Conference in Philanthropy 2010, April 22-24 in Chicago - Early Bird Registration ($295) ends March 15th. Renaissance will be exhibiting in a booth, so be sure to stop by and see us while you're there.

Our own Greg Baker will be speaking on April 21 (the day before the AiP event) at the intensive review of Charitable Giving Applications. This event is offered by AiP in alliance with The American College, and will cover how charitable tools - CRTs, CLTs, CGAs, PIFs, DAFs, and Private Foundations - fit into your client's estate plan. These study groups are reviews of courses required to earn the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation.

Renaissance is also proud to sponsor the "Shaking The Tree" presentation - an optional event for AiP attendees on Thursday night. This unique opportunity presents the charitable giving discussion from the perspective of a family conversation. A short video case study followed by an interactive discussion on how to address the concerns families interested in charitable planning may have.

RELIEF FOR HAITI: Did you know that your 2010 charitable contributions to the relief effort in Haiti may be deducted on your 2009 tax return?

Did your clients give to the relief effort in Haiti? Millions of dollars were raised by the American Red Cross through "text donations" and other means of giving that may not generate a conformation receipt that can be used for tax purposes. But that doesn't mean that your clients can't still get their deduction - in fact, they may be able to claim a deduction for a gift given in January or February of 2010 on their 2009 tax returns.

A special bill was passed by Congress allowing many gifts given to the Haitian relief effort between January 11, 2010 and March 1, 2010 to be treated as though they were given in 2009. The new law was enacted after the 2009 forms, instructions, and publications had already been printed.  When preparing your 2009 tax return, you may be eligible to complete the forms as if these contributions were made on December 31, 2009, instead of in 2010.

Get more information on the IRS website here and here.

RENAISSANCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: 2009 Giving Statistics

The Renaissance Charitable Foundation Inc. applauds you for making a difference! Since its inception in 2000, our Donor-Advised Fund program has grown to over $200 million in assets. During 2009 alone, donors contributed over $69 million and our DAFs made 13,799 grants totaling $35 million to 3,826 different charities spread across the United States.