Charitable Thoughts. Gifts to charitable organizations may provide significant tax reductions, as well as yielding the satisfaction of supporting a good cause. Certain clients of ours were largely responsible for construction of the new, world-class music building and concert hall at Pacific Lutheran University.

1. Direct gifts are common.

2. A deed of a remainder interest in a residence, to take effect after one's lifetime, is deductible for income, estate and gift tax purposes.

3. A person holding securities, land or other assets which have appreciated in value may create a tax-free sale of the assets, and a lifetime income return, by use of a charitable remainder trust.

4. Other possible arrangements include bargain sales, gift annuities, and charitable lead trusts.

Macpherson Sabbatical. One of the members of our estate planning group, Alan Macpherson, will be out of the office from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Al Falk will fill in for Alan during this period, with assistance from Larry Ghilarducci and Sandy Rovai.

Please call us if you want to discuss these or any other estate planning issues.