Donating stocks are a wonderful way to help PBI-USA create space for peace. Whether your portfolio performance was above market averages or even if you had a decline in your portfolio value, donating stock to PBI-USA is a wise investment in international human rights.
Protect Human Rights and Save on Taxes With Appreciated Stock
If you have stock that you have owned for more than one year, and it has appreciated since you purchased it, you may be able to save on the capital gains tax you would owe if you sold it yourself by donating the stock to PBI-USA. And since PBI-USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, you may be entitled to an income tax deduction for the full current market value of your gift, to the extent allowed by law. Plus, you may be able to deduct stock donations equal to an amount of up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and any excess deductible amount may be something you can carry over to offset income or capital gains taxes in future years.
Long-Term Stock
Another option for using your “long-term” appreciated stock to support human rights defenders is to donate the stock to PBI-USA and then repurchase the shares on the market, or diversify your assets by purchasing securities of an equal value in different sectors and industries. Not only might you be able to claim a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value of your gift, you may also minimize any capital gains tax when you eventually sell the replacement shares.
How to Turn a Stock Market Loss into a Win
If you took a loss in the stock market, you can still help PBI-USA’s campaigns against human rights abuse! By selling stock at a loss and then making a donation to PBI-USA of the same amount of money that the stock was sold for, you may be able to do the following:
Claim a charitable deduction for the gift.
Deduct the stock's decrease in value from your other income, thereby reducing the taxes you pay.
Deduct up to $1,500 if you are single and $3,000 if you are married, but any amount of loss above that may be able to be carried over to future years until completely deducted.
For More Information
As always, we suggest that you consult with your independent financial, tax, or legal advisor for specific help with your particular situation, as PBI-USA does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. But if you would like more information about the various ways in which your stock holdings can be used before year’s end to benefit human rights defenders —and yourself—please contact Amelia Parker, PBI-USA's Finance Director, at 202-232-0142, or amelia(at)pbiusa.org.
