Even with an Outright Gift of Stock, Cost Basis Can Still Matter

Most gift planners know that when long-term appreciated, publicly-traded stock is contributed for a gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, the way in which payments to beneficiaries will be taxed depends in part on the stock’s cost basis. By contrast, when such stock is used to make an outright gift, cost basis is generally regarded as having no significance, as none of the gain is taxable to either the donor or the charity.