How fast can I stop paying property taxes and maintenance on this asset?

We prioritize your financial relief. Because our specialized team handles the legal hurdles and paperwork in-house, most property donations are completed significantly faster than a traditional market sale. The moment the transfer of the asset is finalized, your obligation to pay property taxes, insurance premiums, and ongoing upkeep ends completely.

The property needs major repairs. Do I need to fix it before I donate?

No. We accept properties in their current "as-is" condition. You do not need to sink additional funds into major repairs, mandatory code updates, or renovations before transferring the asset to our charity.

How exactly is my tax deduction calculated for the IRS?

Instead of giving after-tax cash, transferring a long-term capital asset allows you to anchor your charitable deduction to the property's independent appraised fair market value, effectively offsetting your current income and maximizing your multi-year write-off potential.

Charitable Contributions of Real Property

A charitable contribution of property is a gift of something other than cash, and the IRS treats it differently from a check. Real estate is the largest noncash gift most people ever make, and it comes with its own valuation, limit and recordkeeping rules. Here is how charitable contributions of real property work, and where Real Estate with Causes fits.

Cash versus property contributions

Cash gifts to a public charity are generally deductible up to 60% of AGI. Gifts of appreciated long-term property are generally limited to 30% of AGI, deducted at fair market value, with a five-year carryforward. Electing 50% means deducting basis instead.

Substantiation

Any gift of $250 or more needs a written acknowledgment. Property over $500 is reported on Form 8283; over $5,000, Section B with a qualified appraisal.

Combining property and cash gifts

The limits interact. Cash gifts are counted first against the higher limit, and property gifts fill in beneath it. Donors who give both in one year should have their advisor sequence the gifts.

Some donors sell property and give part of the proceeds as cash. That route has different tax results from donating the property itself, and your advisor should compare both.

Records to keep

For every property contribution.

The qualified appraisal

For property over $5,000.

Form 8283

Signed by the appraiser and by us.

Our written acknowledgment

Describing the property.

Charitable contribution questions, answered

What is the limit on charitable contributions of property? +

Generally 30% of AGI for appreciated long-term property to a public charity, with a five-year carryforward.

Do I need an appraisal for a property contribution? +

Yes, a qualified appraisal for any property over $5,000.

Is donating property better than donating cash? +

For appreciated property, often, because the gain is not taxed. It depends on your numbers.

What counts as a qualified organization? +

A 501(c)(3) public charity such as Giving Center, among others.

Where do I find the IRS rules? +

Publication 526 on charitable contributions and Publication 561 on valuing donated property.

We do not provide tax or legal advice. See IRS Publication 526, Publication 561 and the Form 8283 instructions, and consult your own advisor.