This is simply a gift of any real property (i.e. car, land). The gift must be appraised by an independent third party to determine its value and both the gift and the appraisal must be approved by the charity before being donated. You will then receive a tax-receipt for the appraised value of the gift. This gift instrument is particularly useful if you have properties (other than your primary dwelling) and will face significant capital gains on those properties.

5. Bequests

Most people pay more tax in the year of their death than at any other time in their life. You may want to donate part of your estate to ministry which will reduce taxes owed by your estate. By naming the C&MA as a beneficiary, your estate will receive a tax donation receipt. It is important to remember that in the year of your ?home going? as well as the year prior to your ?home going?, your estate can claim 100% of any tax receipts.

Illustration based on a 75-year-old couple receiving a 45% tax credit owning a $100,000 'joint last to die' policy costing annual premiums of $3,100. If the C&MA is named as owner, the donor will receive an immediate charitable receipt for the cash value of the policy and an annual receipt of $3,100 for paid premiums If the donor retains ownership and the C&MA is named beneficiary, the estate will receive a non-refundable tax credit of $45,000

This is a great way to reduce or even eliminate estate taxes, preserve appreciable assets (such as a cottage or second home) for loved ones and give a significant gift to the Lord?s work. Through insurance your gift value can be significantly greater than the amount of the total premiums paid.

You can do it two ways:

1. Purchase a life insurance policy and name the C&MA as the owner. You will also receive a tax receipt for the cash surrender value of the policy in the year that ownership is transferred to the C&MA. You can then reduce your taxes annually as you will receive a tax donation receipt for the full value of each premium payment you make on the policy.

2. Purchase a life insurance policy and name the C&MA as the beneficiary. Your estate will then be issued a tax receipt for the death benefit of the policy and the C&MA will receive the cash donation.

There are a variety of life insurance policies. A current quote that reflects your circumstances must be obtained from a life insurance agent.

Here's an example of how a single 75-year-old man might benefit from a $10,000 annuity. Lifetime investment rate of 6.92%* A tax donation receipt of $2,985.23 at the time of investment Annual income of: $657.13 tax free $34.87 taxable Lifetime income of $12,113.45 (living his expected mortality) *Rates offered, the amount of the charitable receipt and the tax free portion are subject to change. Quotes are available without obligation.

Have your cake and eat it too! An annuity allows you to enjoy positive earnings on your investment income for the rest of your life (in some cases 100% tax free), receive an immediate tax donation receipt for a portion of the donation and give a deferred gift to the C&MA all at the same time. Rates are influenced by mortality expectations, gender and type of annuity (single or joint).

Annuities are only available to residents of Canada and a $5,000 minimum investment is required. ($10,000 minimum is preferred.)

Pay less tax and potentially make more money while giving to the Lord's work. Sounds impossible, but it is true!

Taxes on your RRSP or RRIF cannot be avoided. At some point you will need to cash in your RRSP or RRIF. It is possible for you to gift them to the C&MA and receive a tax receipt for the full value less the withholding tax.

You can also convert your RRSP/RRIF into a gift annuity. Depending on your age and the type of annuity (single or joint last to die), it is possible to reduce your tax, receive more income over your lifetime than with the payout of the RRSP/RRIF and give a gift to the C&MA.

This is a great way to enjoy the benefits of an asset during your lifetime, receive imediate tax relief and give a sizeable gift once you no longer need the asset. It is a form of a residual interest gift. The donor transfers property to a trustee who holds and manages it. If the property is income-producing, the net income will be paid to the donor and/or beneficiary. When the trust terminates [either at the death of the beneficiary(ies) or after a term of years], the trust remainder is distributed to the C&MA. In order for the donor to receive a charitable donation receipt, the trust is irrevocable.