With the end of the current calendar year fast approaching, charitable tax planning is top of mind for many individuals. This topic is particularly timely in 2025, due to several provisions in the federal tax legislation enacted by Congress in July that impact charitable giving. Some of these provisions will apply beginning in 2026—creating opportunities to […]

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are charitable investment accounts that allow donors to contribute funds and receive an immediate tax deduction. The funds are then invested and grow tax-free while donors recommend grants to qualified charities on their own timeline.  There are some restrictions on what DAFs can fund — for instance, donors can’t receive a […]

On July 4, 2025, the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law. The legislation includes several provisions related to charitable giving and other tax updates, with some changes taking effect in 2025 and others in 2026. Highlights include: Key Tax Changes Charitable Donations – Opportunities and Challenges (Starting in 2026) Planning strategies to […]

August is National Make a Will Month. We previously shared why having a will is important. If you don’t already have a will or revocable trust in place, now is the time to make arrangements! You can start by making a list of all the assets you own — bank accounts, cryptocurrency accounts, investments, life […]

It’s a new year – a time for reflection, resolutions and rejuvenation. We find ourselves setting goals and making plans for the next twelve months: “Exercise more.”  “Save more money.”  “Take up pickleball.” As uncomfortable, morbid or depressing as it may sound (perhaps even the antithesis of a happy new year), you may want to […]

With a qualified charitable distribution, you can transfer assets directly to Duke in an easy, tax-efficient way to fulfill your philanthropic goals. What is a qualified charitable distribution? A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) or charitable IRA rollover allows individuals to transfer up to $100,000 a year directly from an IRA to Duke. You can also […]

In the recently-passed stimulus package called the CARES Act (“Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act”), Congress recognizes the critical role being played by Duke and other nonprofit organizations, and the financial challenges being faced by many of these institutions, by including measures to encourage philanthropic giving in 2020.    Charitable deductions even if you […]

The stock market is once again near historic highs. The S&P Index recently hit a record, and other indexes aren’t far behind. If you own stock or mutual funds, this is great news.  The downside is that, if you want to turn those shares into cash by selling them, you may owe taxes on “capital […]

Duke University is fortunate to have so many alumni and friends who want to have an impact on this remarkable institution through philanthropy. Many of them are interested in exploring creative and tax-efficient ways to support Duke, and we regularly receive gifts of all sorts of assets. Last month in Blueprints, my colleague Phil Buchanan […]

Or maybe I should say – DOES it? For most of us, financial planning is an exercise allocating scarce resources. None of my clients say, “Stephanie, I just have too darn much money! What should I do with it?” Wouldn’t that be nice! Instead, the usual predicament is many competing needs and wants – present-day, […]