Gifts That Reduce Your Taxes

Cash is the simplest asset to donate and the quickest way to make an immediate impact for Army Emergency Relief. If you want to further our work today and claim the entire amount of your gift as a charitable income tax deduction, consider a gift of cash. Make your gift online, via a check or money order, or with a wire transfer.

When you give securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds), you may be eligible for a double tax benefit: 1) You receive an income tax deduction for the full, present, fair market value of the assets and 2) you may completely avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation of the assets. This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. 

When you redeem savings bonds, you will owe income tax on the appreciation. So will the person who inherits them. You can eliminate the income tax on bonds you plan to redeem by donating them to Army Emergency Relief. Because AER is tax-exempt, 100 percent of your gift of savings bonds will go to supporting our shared mission to help Soldiers and their families overcome financial hardship.

A gift of your retirement assets, such as an employee retirement plan, IRA, or tax-sheltered annuity, is an excellent way to make a gift. A gift of these assets can shield you or your heirs from taxes while funding Army Emergency Relief.

Transfer ownership now:

To make an impact on our mission today, irrevocably designate Army Emergency Relief as owner and beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy. If your policy is paid up, you will receive an immediate income tax deduction based on the policy value.

If your policy is not yet paid up, you will make contributions of cash to AER to cover future premium payments. For any continuing premium payments you make, you will receive a charitable deduction in the year of the payment.

Name us as a beneficiary:

You can name Army Emergency Relief as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, AER will receive the proceeds of your policy when you pass away. You can change your beneficiary at any time and may reduce your estate taxes.

This gift is easy to arrange — simply request a beneficiary designation form from your plan administrator.

Army Emergency Relief provides financial assistance to Soldiers and their Families. While we have accepted gifts of property in the past, our intent will be to convert the gift into cash to be distributed to Soldiers. You can give gifts of property, including artwork, jewelry, or other assets. Gifts like these are tax deductible in a way similar to gifts of cash, but with a few minor differences. Contact us to learn more about this type of gift — we would be happy to help you find the option that best fits your philanthropic goals.