The CARES Act
Like you, The LeTourneau University Foundation is adapting and changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic uncertainty. The LeTourneau University Foundation is grateful for your generous support of our work over the years. As we adapt to our new reality, we would like to bring to your attention new tax rules for charitable giving included in the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.
You may deduct gifts of cash to most public charities to offset as much as 100% of your income! For the 2020 tax year only, you may deduct cash contributions to The LeTourneau University Foundation and most other public charities to offset up to 100% of your income. Ordinarily, the income tax charitable deduction for cash gifts is limited to 60% of your income. This 100% limit allows especially generous donors to reduce their 2020 federal income tax to zero. If you are even more generous, you can carry forward unused cash contribution deductions for up to five years. Contributions to donor advised funds or supporting organizations are not eligible for this deduction. Your ability to deduct up to 100% of your income with cash gifts is reduced by your gifts of appreciated assets such as publicly traded securities and real estate for example. That means your charitable deductions in 2020 cannot exceed 100% of your income, but you may be able to carry unused charitable deductions forward to future years.
It may not be the tax-wise choice to deduct up to 100% of your income. Because federal income tax rates are progressive, it is not a given that it will be to your advantage to deduct 100% of your cash contributions in 2020. Check with your financial or other advisors to determine whether the 100% deduction makes sense for your specific circumstances.
If you don’t itemize you may reduce your taxable income by $300 for your charitable contributions in 2020. If you do not itemize your deductions in 2020, you can still reduce your taxable income by up to $300 for contributions of cash to public charities using an “above the line” adjustment to reduce your taxable income.
Required minimum distributions from retirement plans are waived for 2020. Most required minimum distributions from retirement plans have been eliminated for 2020. Check with your financial advisor to see how this temporary rule will apply to you. Minimum distributions that have already started are still required from some defined benefit pension plans, but some required minimum distributions that would have started in 2020 may not have to start until 2021.
Qualified charitable distributions are still a great way if you are 70½ or older to make contributions. If you are 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution (“QCD” or “IRA charitable rollover”) allows you to make a tax-free gift of up to $100,000 to The LeTourneau University Foundation from your IRA. While the benefit of using a QCD to satisfy your required minimum distribution has been waived for 2020, a qualified charitable distribution remains a great way to make tax advantageous contributions, especially if you don’t itemize your deductions.
The CARES Act, which was necessary to address the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, provides additional tax incentives to encourage charitable giving. You have important priorities for your family and loved ones, and we know that their health and financial well-being comes first. When you are ready, we will be here to help you shape a charitable gift plan that suits your needs and allows you to keep helping with our important work. Please contact Thomas E. Bevan at leavealegacy@letufoundation.org or call 903.233.3833 to learn about the many ways you can support The LeTourneau University Foundation.
“Estate and Legacy Planning” – Does it Really Matter?
Think about this: early in the life of Israel we see the Lord repeatedly reminding them about the importance of passing on to “their children and their children’s children” God’s testimony of faithfulness (Deuteronomy 4:9 and following). God went on to tell the children of Israel that He wasn't’t talking directly with their children, but rather with them – because “their eyes had seen” all that the Lord had done (Deuteronomy 11:2-7).
Estate planning, when done with intentionality and by including a narrative of one’s life, can be an incredible means of motivating future generations. Further empowering such planning with
Watch for our next installment where we will purpose to unpack …
- what estate and legacy planning is
- why it’s important
- what it looks like
and most importantly,
- how it can be a compelling motivation for succeeding generations when it is empowered with an integrated level of charitable gift planning
As always, if we can be of service to you in this area, or for any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to email us at leavealegacy@letufoundation.org or call us toll-free at 903-500-2972 and ask for Tom Bevan.
And always a proper disclaimer: When considering what we might point to by way of a benefit to you in any given situation, always assure to consult your legal and tax advisor for what qualifies as the actual tax treatment of that scenario in your unique situation.
Scholarships play a major role in the lives of LETU students. More than 90% of the student body receives financial assistance from scholarships, grants, and loans. But with graduating seniors incurring significant financial debt, it is our goal to lessen the burden and increase our scholarship aid. Endowed scholarships play a vital role in decreasing the debt burden on students.
Why do LETU alumni and friends choose to establish Endowed Scholarship Funds?
- To perpetuate the memory or legacy of a loved one;
- To honor positive role models who have significantly influenced others;
- To invest in today's students who will influence every workplace and every nation for Christ tomorrow.
Endowed Scholarships provide significant impact:
- Equip leaders for tomorrow today;
- Recruit and retain outstanding students seeking the hands-on, Christ-centered education that has for decades been the strength of LETU;
- Recognize and reward outstanding performance by students with demonstrated financial need.
Endowed professorships, chairs, programs and schools are also available. Call 903.233.3833 to establish your endowment today.
Many companies will match their employees' charitable gifts. Some will even match the donations of retirees or employees' spouses! You can make your money double or even triple and at the same time invest in students' lives.
If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer's Human Resources department. Complete, sign and send in the completed form with your gift- every time you give a gift! Inform your employer of your donation and give them LeTourneau University's mailing address (2100 S. Mobberly Ave. Longview, TX 75607) so they can make the match. We will do the rest.
Giving a cash gift isn't the only way you can support LeTourneau University students. All you have to do is sign up for all the programs below and then let your shopping do the donating. It's that easy! Your normal, everyday shopping will help the LETU Annual Fund provide scholarship aid to deserving students. Thank you!
Give by Shopping
You're going to buy things anyway, right? Here are some ways your purchase can benefit LeTourneau University.
Amazon Smile
Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com, choose LeTourneau University as your selected organization, and the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases.
Kroger
If you are a KrogerPlus member, Kroger's Community Rewards program donates a portion of your eligible purchases to the organization of your choice. Choose LETU! Visit https://www.kroger.com/topic/kroger-community-rewards-3 to enroll with your membership card and choose LeTourneau University (NPO# 84780). Don't forget to re-enroll each year to continue in the Community Rewards program.
Tom Thumb
Tom Thumb's Good Neighbor Program allows customers to direct donation dollars to a favorite church, school or other non-profit organization. Visit the courtesy booth at your local store to link your reward card to our account (use our Charity# 9090).