• Bio

Manya Deva Natan

Manya Deva Natan is a California Bar Certified attorney with the law firm of SSS Legal & Consultancy Services located in Calabasas, CA. Her practice focuses on International Estates, Trusts and Estates, Asset Protection, Trust Administration, and more. Manya received her law degree from Stanford University, as well as a Master's in International Affairs from Columbia University. She has completed extensive course-work and training in the areas of mental, physical, and emotional health, including being a published author. She is the founder of two publishing-based companies related to health and wellness and has particular interest in the legal and financial components of health and their importance in integrated health. She has appeared multiple times on Good Morning America and is regularly contacted by national media outlets for commentary.

With the holiday season upon us, the charitable giving season is also upon us. Charitable giving is important not only for income tax purposes, but can also be important for estate tax purposes.

For tax purposes, a charitable gift is deemed made on the day the gift was delivered to the charity. This has important implications in tax law as it determines what laws apply.

If you are planning on giving to charity this holiday season, then you need to know when your gifts will be considered delivered.

Accordingly, here are the “dates of delivery” for commonly given assets:

• Securities – The day when hand-delivered or mailed via the U.S. Postal Service.
• Mutual Fund Shares – The day when the fund manager transfers the shares to the charity.
• Checks – The day they are sent in the mail, as long as they are not post-dated.
• Personal Property – The day the property and title are received.
• Real Estate – The day the deed is received or when it is registered, if required by local law.
• Credit Cards – The day a bank transfers the money to the charity.

To ensure your generosity complies with the tax law as falling safely within tax year 2016, or if you have any other questions about charitable giving, contact an experienced estate attorney sooner rather than later.