Retained Life Estate
You can generate a sizable income tax deduction now by establishing a retained life estate arrangement with your property.
Fund a charitable gift to Guide Dogs for the Blind with your home, vacation home or farm. While nothing changes in your current lifestyle or use of the property, the retained life estate arrangement generates a sizable income tax deduction for you in the year you establish the gift. At the end of the retained life estate term (usually your lifetime or joint lifetimes), the property goes to Guide Dogs for the Blind as the charitable recipient.
Bargain Sale
Receive cash on the sale of your property and be eligible for a charitable tax deduction now by establishing a bargain sale agreement.
Sell your property to Guide Dogs for the Blind for less than its fair market value. As the donor in this arrangement, you receive cash (perhaps equal to your investment) and use the difference between the fair market value and the sale price to make a charitable donation. To be eligible for the charitable deduction, you must clearly state in writing your intent to sell the property for less than its fair market value.
Charitable Lead Trusts
Transfer assets to your heirs at a significantly reduced tax liability by establishing a charitable lead trust.
The trust makes a fixed payment to Guide Dogs for the Blind for a specified term, measured either by your lifetime or a selected number of years. After the trust term ends, the assets of the trust are either returned to you or passed on to children or other loved ones. If the assets are to be returned to you, you receive an income tax deduction now, when the trust is created. If the assets are passed on to heirs, applicable estate or gift taxes on the value of the gift are reduced or completely eliminated. The tax savings from a charitable lead trust may allow you to provide significant support for Guide Dogs for the Blind at little or no cost to heirs in terms of ultimate inheritance.