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, […]