At a glance:
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A Charitable Remainder Trust is established for the life of the donor (also trustor or grantor) and/or for the life of any beneficiary(-ies) and is irrevocable. While there are certain changes that may be made, once the trust is established, it cannot be revoked. If it is desired, the income period of the trust can be established for a specified period of time not to exceed twenty years. The twenty-year maximum does not apply if the trust life is based on the life expectancy of the income beneficiary(-ies).
Because the income is paid to one or more parties and, at the end of the trust's life, the principal and any undistributed interest is paid to a different party (a charity), a charitable remainder trust is called a split interest trust. The income portion of the trust may be either an annuity income or a unitrust income, the two different types of charitable remainder trusts.
What
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A charitable remainder unitrust (see example) is a popular way to achieve tax benefits as well as a fixed annual percentage on the value of the assets in the trust. The assets are revalued annually and, if the trust value increases or decreases, the payment to the beneficiary(ies) changes.
A charitable remainder annuity trust is set up to pay a fixed rate of return based on the initial valuation at the time the property is placed in the trust. The trust assets are never revalued so the income paid is a fixed income.
Charitable Remainder Trusts provide a good degree of flexibility that is valuable in charitable gift planning. A charitable remainder trust is an attractive planning tool for the disposal of highly appreciated assets. While the assets revert to the charity rather than the heirs of the estate, the use of an irrevocable life insurance trust in conjunction with a charitable remainder trust could replace the asset's value for the heirs.
Net
Income Charitable Remainder Trust
This variation of a unitrust provides
that either the specified fixed percentage of the trust assets or the net income
of the trust is distributed to the beneficiary, whichever is less. This type of
trust is often used to handle real estate as there is no fixed distribution requirement,
giving the trustee time to arrange an orderly sale of the property. A net income
charitable remainder unitrust can be an excellent way to donate appreciated property
and turn it into an income stream as well as acquire tax benefits.
A donor may also add a "makeup provision" to the trust. This allows a trust to distribute more than the fixed percentage of the assets in years where the trust's income exceeded the fixed percentage. In this manner, previous years shortages, when the trust was not able to earn the fixed percentage payment, may be made up.
Susan and Fred are happy that they have made a difference; a difference that will have a profound impact on the lives of others. See their story for more information.