Without the right strategy, even the best intentions can go to waste.

Quick Tax Tip

With Art Werner

CPE Today

Charitable giving can be a powerful tool for clients seeking tax advantages and for ensuring their donations are used wisely. Yet, many clients—and even some professionals—remain unaware of one of the most accessible vehicles for achieving these goals: donor-advised funds.

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“The average client has no idea that a donor-advised fund exists,” Werner says. “And if I, as a professional, am not aware of a technique, I probably won’t use it — not because I’m afraid of it, but because I’m ignorant of the ability to utilize it.”

A donor-advised fund is a simple yet powerful charitable planning tool. It allows an individual to make a significant charitable contribution upfront, claim an immediate tax deduction, and then distribute the funds to charities over time. This approach provides flexibility and greater oversight of how donations are ultimately used.