The holidays are here, and most of us have a variety of causes in mind for year-end giving. But while you may be tempted to simply write checks to charity, giving appreciated securities like stocks and mutual funds is an especially smart move to consider right now.

If you want to give, donating an appreciated asset is always a smart move instead of making cash donations, especially now with the current market valuations.

With the stock market at an all-time high, any money in taxable accounts has likely produced some significant, unrealized capital gains that will eventually result in a hefty tax bill. But by donating appreciated securities that you’ve owned for at least a year, you likely eliminate capital gains taxes and claim the value of the donation as a charitable deduction for 2017.

Read the full article on giving stock by at Christian Giving