

Episode 83, Phil DeMuth, "The Tax-Smart Donor" and how to optimize your lifetime giving plan, host Rick Ferri
8 snips Jun 21, 2025
Phil DeMuth, Managing Director at Conservative Wealth Management and author of ten personal finance books, shares his expertise on tax-smart charitable giving. He discusses strategies from his book to create an impactful lifetime giving plan that maximizes both philanthropy and tax benefits. The conversation covers innovative approaches like donor-advised funds and the importance of navigating charitable structures for optimized contributions. DeMuth highlights the advantages of donating from IRAs and shares tips on making the most of charitable donations, including appreciated securities and artwork.
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A Personal Introduction to Giving
- Phil DeMuth's father used charitable giving to reduce estate taxes after his death.
- This experience sparked Phil's deeper interest in tax-efficient charitable giving.
History of Charitable Deduction
- The charitable contribution tax deduction originated in 1916 to prevent the wealthy from avoiding high taxes by refusing philanthropy.
- It has existed since, encouraging wealthy individuals to fund civic institutions.
Use Donor Advised Funds
- Use donor advised funds (DAFs) to simplify and enhance charitable giving.
- DAFs hold your donations, let you advise distributions, and often allow investments to grow tax-free.