Donating stock to charity is a smart way to avoid capital gains taxes and maximize your charitable impact. When you sell a security, you trigger a capital gains tax based on the profit you make from the sale. This tax can be substantial, especially if you've held the stock for a long time. However, if you donate your stock directly to a non-profit, you can avoid this tax altogether.
Daffy, a not-for-profit community built around a modern platform for giving, is an excellent option for this kind of donation. Daffy's CEO and co-founder, Adam Nash, has extensive experience in personal finance and investing, making him a reliable guide in this process.
Donating stock instead of cash can be a win-win for both you and the charities you support. For example, if you're sitting on positions that have a loss on them, you can sell these securities at a loss and count that loss against other gains or income when filing your taxes. This strategy can save you money on taxes in many situations.
However, it's important to be aware of the 'wash sale rule.' The IRS will let you deduct that loss, but only if you don't buy back the same security within 30 days. This rule can make people nervous about selling stocks or crypto that they believe in.
Fortunately, with Daffy, you can donate these securities directly to charity, avoiding the wash sale rule and maximizing your charitable impact. By choosing Daffy as your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), you can make the most of your investments and support the causes you care about most.