This section is designed to provide useful and timely information related to gift planning and charitable estate planning. Revisit this page periodically for new items.

TAX-FREE GIVING FROM IRAs
(under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, passed by Congress on October 3, 2008)

All of the following criteria must be met in order for your gift to qualify as tax-free:

• IRA distributions can be made in any amount up to $100,000 for 2008 and $100,000 for 2009.
• Only applies to traditional or Roth IRAs. Employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as Simple IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s, do not qualify.
• IRA custodian must transfer assets directly to charity (e.g. check payable to Williams College). Do not let the assets pass through your hands first or they will not qualify for tax-free status.
• Charitable distributions may be counted toward the individual's Required Minimum Distribution for the applicable year (but cannot replace taxable distributions that have already been taken).
• Outright gifts only (no life income arrangements such as gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts).

Detailed instructions for making a gift from your IRA to Williams

You can also access additional information on this legislation by visiting the following link provided to us by PG Calc Incorporated: http://www.pgcalc.com/pdf/EESA2008.pdf

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE ESTATE TAX?
The federal tax on estates is scheduled to disappear by 2010, but it might be back! Due to these changes, estates distributed over the next several years should have more assets to distribute.

GIFT ANNUITIES OFFER STABILITY, HIGH INCOME
With interest rates on bonds and CDs dropping daily, the Williams College Charitable Gift Annuity offers donors attractive returns and the opportunity to make a meaningful gift to Williams.