The Charitable Lead Trust generates income for the Opera now and transfers assets to the next generation later. The lead trust holds gift assets for a term of years or for your lifetime, and pays annual income to the Opera, while your family enjoys several tax advantages:

• The gift assets placed in the lead trust are frozen in value for transfer-tax purposes as of the date the trust is formed. When the trust terminates and the assets pass to your family, all intervening appreciation will escape gift and estate tax.
  
  
• The Opera’s income interest further reduces the taxable value of the trust assets when they pass to your family. This feature makes the lead trust especially useful if you are holding assets likely to appreciate significantly before they are transferred to the next generation.
  
  
• The Charitable Lead Trust can be an effective tool to fund a multi-year gift commitment.

Thoughtful gift planning ensures maximum benefits for you and for the Opera. For additional information on planning your gift or for an individualized illustration, provided confidentially, please contact:

Washington National Opera
Steve I. Schneider, Esq., Director of Planned Giving
2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 301
Washington , DC 20037
202-295-2418 | Fax: 202-295-2479
E-mail: sschneider@dc-opera.org

(Back to All Gifts-at-a-Glance)

The type of gift you make determines your tax benefits, and tax laws frequently change. You should consult your own legal and tax advisors regarding planned gifts to Washington National Opera.