A tried and true year-end planning tip has been to donate valuable property, contribute appreciated investments, such as stocks or shares in mutual funds. Provided you have owned the property for more than a year, you can generally write off the full value if you itemize.

The key here today is “if” you itemize.  Or if you donate that the value is enough to get you to be able to itemize.

Also, as an obvious reminder. Don’t donate property that has declined in value since you acquired it.  You most likely should use those losses to offset capital gains, and carryforward the losses forward at $3,000 per year.

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