Charitable Lead Unitrust

A grantor charitable lead unitrust is a gift plan defined by federal tax law that allows an individual to retain ultimate possession of an asset while making a generous gift to charity. The donor transfers assets, usually cash or securities, to a trustee of choice, such as a bank trust department. The donor receives an income tax deduction equal to the value of the income stream promised to the charity. Because the gift is deemed to be “for the use of” the charity, the deduction is subject to IRS 20%/30% limitations..

A charitable lead annuity trust is a way for a wealthy donor to pass assets on to heirs at little or no gift or estate tax cost while providing a generous gift to one or more charities at the same time. During its term, the lead trust makes payments each year to the charity(ies). Whatever assets remain in the lead trust when it terminates are distributed to individuals named by the donor, typically family members. Unlike a charitable remainder trust, which is tax-exempt, a charitable lead trust is a taxable entity, so trust investments need to be managed with this in mind.