Support the AAVSO's work of "enabling anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy"
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You can allocate your donation to one of our funds, or give a general donation, which AAVSO uses where it needed most. The AAVSO is recognized by the IRS and the state of Massachusetts as a 501c3 nonprofit scientific and educational organization. Gifts of all denominations are welcomed, and may include cash, securities, and other gifts. Unrestricted contributions may be made in any amount, and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. AAVSO has a profile on Guidestar, a database of U.S. nonprofit organizations and their financial data.
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To donate by check: please mail to AAVSO, 185 Alewife Brook Parkway #410, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Donors have the opportunity to become an Argelander Society member!
Other charitable giving strategies:
Gift of appreciated stock
Appreciated Stock makes an excellent charitable gift. Under current tax laws, when an appreciated asset (such as stock) is sold, a capital gains tax is due. By making a charitable gift of the appreciated stock, you can avoid or delay the capital gains tax. You can also take an immediate income tax deduction for the current fair market value of the stock, no matter what was originally paid for it.
To take a deduction for gifts of appreciated stock at their current value, you must have owned the stock for more than 12 months. Such gifts are deductible up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income in the year of the gift. Any unused deduction amounts may be used in as many as five subsequent tax years.
Procedure for Donating Appreciated Stock to the American Association of Variable Star Observers
Bequest through your will
One of the most simple and popular ways to make a gift that will live after you is to give through your will. You can make a gift bequest to benefit the AAVSO by providing a dollar amount, specific property, percentage of your estate, or the remainder (what's left). Such a designation can reduce your estate taxes. In many cases, a simple change to your will can add this bequest and does not require rewriting your most recent will.
Looking to retirement accounts
If you are over age 73 and have a retirement plan such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k), you are required to take a minimum distribution from the retirement account and potentially pay tax on the distribution. This can also have the effect of driving up the tax on Social Security income and limiting other deductions on your tax return. If you make charitable contributions, you can avoid some of these negative tax consequences by making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly to the AAVSO. Check with your retirement plan administrator for the procedure in advance of contacting the AAVSO as every plan has its own forms and procedures.
For most planned giving, you will need the AAVSO federal identification number: 042 164 402