by Steve Nickel

An historic time

The stock market is at an all-time high and continues in the longest bull market in our nation's history. It is an unprecedented time of growth in individual wealth, and represents a true blessing from our gracious Lord.

As always, the tax man is prepared to take his portion if you should choose to sell some of your stock to reap this profit. Depending on where you live and your marginal rate, federal and state taxes could take up to 20% or more of the realized gain. As a wise steward, now is a strategic time to consider the effectiveness of making a gift of appreciated stock to Back to the Bible.

Gifts of appreciated stock

A gift of stock that has appreciated in value typically makes a wiser gift than an equal amount of cash. Think of it this way--cash in a bank account has already been taxed (when it was received as income). The value of stock remains untaxed as long as it is held. The IRS allows the transfer of stock directly to Back to the Bible without imposing any tax on the growth in value. The donor is allowed the full fair market value of the stock as a charitable deduction on an itemized tax return.

As you consider a gift of appreciated stock, think about this comparison:

This comparison simply shows how proper planning can be of benefit in making a gift of the right asset at the right time.

The Lord has blessed your stewardship for Him. A gift of appreciated stock instead of cash can help you take full advantage of the tax benefits that the government allows at this time. While it is important to consider the tax implications of making a gift, of utmost importance is the knowledge that your gift will be used to touch lives and further the Lord's work around the world.