Stocks, bonds and other securities can be donated through your will or right now to allow you to see your gift at work. This type of donation is called a gift-in-kind, which means it’s not a cash donation. The amount of the charitable tax receipt is based on the market value of the securities the day we receive the funds.
Since 2006, there has been no capital gains tax charged to donations of publicly-traded securities.
Many people own stocks that have appreciated considerably. If those securities are sold, 50 per cent of the capital gains must be reported as income. Donating those same securities to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation reduces the capital gains to zero and you receive a charitable tax receipt for the full market value. In order to eliminate the capital gains, the shares must be transferred directly.
If you would like to transfer securities as an in-life donation, please have your broker use our Securities Transfer Form and remember to send us a copy or request a copy of the securities transfer be sent to us.
Many people have significant assets in their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). Naming your spouse as the designated beneficiary of those plans will defer the tax liability, however, upon the passing of the surviving spouse, the full proceeds will be taxed as income in the year of death.
Naming Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation as the beneficiary of your RRSP/RRIF will offset the tax and eliminate the probate fees related to the estate plan. Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the full amount of the gift and any assets that pass directly to the beneficiary without probate will remain private and confidential unlike those distributed through a will.
For more information on donating stocks, bonds and other securities, please contact William Yu, Manager, Legacy Giving, at yuyo@hhsc.ca or call 365-324-7627.
