Reduce taxes and increase inheritances to your loved ones

—Many people support charitable organizations through gifts from their estates. There are many benefits to giving to charities through your Will. A charitable bequest in your Will reduces the taxes owing upon death thereby increasing the inheritances to your loved ones. A your Will allows you to make a significant donation upon your death that you may not have been able to make during your lifetime.
• Tax Relief – A bequest is an effective method to reduce estate taxes.
• Tax Planning –The charity will issue a tax receipt for the full value of your bequest. This receipt will be used to reduce the tax payable on your final tax return. If your bequest exceeds 100% of your net income, the excess may be carried back to the previous tax year.
• Cost Effective – There are no extra out-of-pocket costs to include a charity in your Will.
• Convenient – A charitable bequest can be made no matter how old you are and can be for any amount you want!
• Flexible – Your bequest can be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or the residue of your estate that is a gift after your debts have been paid and other bequests made.
• Simple – A bequest is easy to arrange. Simply ask your lawyer to include a bequest to your charity of choice in your Will.
• Control –You retain the use of the charitable gift for the duration of your lifetime.
• Peace of Mind – You can make changes in your Will at any time.
• Memorialize – Your bequest can symbolize a lasting memorial for you, your family or anyone you may wish to honour.
These are only some of the areas examined in an estate plan. If you do not have a Will, or if your Will has not been updated recently, perhaps it is time to meet with a lawyer and get the job done. Take the first step; call March of Dimes toll-free at 1-800-263-3463 x 7341 for sample charitable bequest clauses or for a free copy of My Personal Organizer - a handy estate-planning tool.
To help adults and children with disabilities throughout Canada live more independent and fulfilling lives, we need your generous assistance.
Giving has never been easier and the need has never been greater!

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