Real Estate

Almost any type of real property, a personal residence, a farm, a vacation home, a commercial building, or an undeveloped parcel of land can be an important gift to Mercyhurst College. Gifts of real estate may be made either outright or through a tax-advantaged life income vehicle. You may gift all or a percentage of your real property to the College, and your gift may be given during your lifetime or through your will.

Outright Gift

If you give your real estate outright to the College, you will be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction based on the full fair-market value of the real estate you give. You will avoid the capital gains tax you would have had to pay if you had sold the property, and you will have made a generous gift to the College. Also, because you have removed the property from your estate, you have also reduced your estate taxes. The College requires the donor to bear certain costs when making a real estate gift, such as an appraisal to determine the fair market value.

Retained Life Estate

If you want to receive a current income tax deduction for the gift of your home, but would like to continue living there for the rest of your life, you could give the College a “remainder interest” in your home and retain a “life estate” for yourself. You will be eligible for a current income tax deduction based on the value of the remainder interest you have given, and you will have the right to live in your home for the rest of your life. Only after your death will the College assume the usual ownership rights in the property.

How it Works:

Transfer title to personal residence or farm to Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College allows you (and spouse) to remain in residence for life
You (and spouse) occupy and maintain residence
Mercyhurst College uses or sells property after your death(s)

By setting up your gift now, rather than in your will, you will receive an immediate income tax deduction for the present value of the College's future right to receive the property. You also can give an "undivided interest" in property that you own and receive an immediate income tax deduction. For example, you could make the College the owner of a 50 percent interest in your vacation home. The College's benefit is that, when the property is sold, the College will receive 50 percent of the proceeds. The sale can be during your lifetime or even after your death. And the real benefit to you is a deduction for about 50 percent of the value of the gift property. The deduction will reduce your current income taxes thus increasing your spendable income.

For more information, contact Dr. David J. Livingston, vice president for advancement at dlivingston@mercyhurst.edu or call 814-824-2241

Mercyhurst College does not provide legal, tax or financial advice. We strongly recommend that you consult professional advisors on all legal, tax or financial matters, including gift planning considerations. To ensure compliance with certain IRS requirements, we disclose to you that this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties