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Introduction

SECTION 3. SCOPE

Internal Revenue Bulletin 2007-29 · 2026-10-03 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · United States

A CLAT is an irrevocable split-interest trust that provides for a specified amount to be paid to one or more charitable beneficiaries during the term of the trust. The principal remaining in the trust at the end of the term is paid over to, or held in a continuing trust for, a noncharitable beneficiary or beneficiaries identified in the trust. If the terms of a CLAT created during the donor’s life satisfy the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, a gift of the charitable lead annuity interest will qualify for the gift tax charitable deduction under § 2522(c)(2)(B) and/or the estate tax charitable deduction under § 2055(e)(2)(B). In certain cases, the gift of the annuity interest may also qualify for the income tax charitable deduction under § 170(a). The value of the remainder interest is a taxable gift by the donor at the time of the donor’s contribution to the trust.

There are two types of inter vivos CLATs: a “nongrantor CLAT” and a “grantor CLAT.” The income tax consequences are different for each.

A nongrantor CLAT is subject to the provisions of part I, subchapter J of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Under the provisions of part I of subchapter J, a nongrantor CLAT is allowed a deduction under § 642(c)(1) in determining its taxable income for any amount of gross income paid for purposes specified in § 170(c). Generally, the donor is not entitled to any income tax charitable deduction.

Section 4 of this revenue procedure provides a sample declaration of trust for a nongrantor CLAT with a term of years annuity period that is created by an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States. Section 5 of this revenue procedure provides annotations to the provisions of the sample trust. Section 6 of this revenue procedure provides samples of certain alternate provisions concerning: (.01) an annuity period for the life of an individual; (.02) retention of the right to substitute the charitable lead beneficiary; (.03) apportionment of the annuity amount in the discretion of the trustee; (.04) the annuity amount as a specific dollar amount; and (.05) designation of an alternate charitable beneficiary in the trust instrument. If a trust is substantially similar to the sample trust in section 4 of this revenue procedure or properly integrates one or more alternate provisions from section 6 into a document substantially similar to the sample trust in section 4, is a valid trust under applicable local law, and operates in a manner consistent with the terms of the instrument, and if all other deductibility requirements are satisfied, the value of the charitable lead interest will be deductible under § 2522(c)(2)(B) and/or § 2055(e)(2)(B) and payments of the annuity amount to the charitable lead beneficiary will be deductible from the gross income of the trust to the extent provided by § 642(c)(1). In addition, a nongrantor CLAT will qualify for the safe harbor created under this revenue procedure if the trust satisfies all of the requirements set forth in the preceding sentence, except that it defines the annuity amount as an increasing amount for which the value is ascertainable at the creation of the trust and/or provides for a different disposition of trust assets upon the termination of the annuity period.

A CLAT is a grantor CLAT if the donor, who is a citizen or resident of the United States, is treated as the owner of the entire CLAT under subpart E, part I of subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A. The value of the charitable lead annuity interest in a grantor CLAT may be deductible by the donor under § 170(a) for the year in which the donor made the contribution to the trust, provided that the other requirements of § 170(f)(2)(B) and the regulations thereunder are satisfied. During the term of the grantor CLAT, all trust income and capital gains are taxed to the donor and the donor is entitled to no further charitable deduction for income tax purposes as the charitable annuity payments are made to charitable organizations each year.

Section 7 of this revenue procedure provides a sample declaration of trust for a grantor CLAT that is created by an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States. Section 8 of this revenue procedure provides annotations to the provisions of the sample trust. Section 9 of this revenue procedure provides samples of certain alternate provisions concerning: (.01) an annuity period for the life of an individual; (.02) retention of the right to substitute the charitable lead beneficiary; (.03) apportionment of the annuity amount in the discretion of the trustee; (.04) the annuity amount as a specific dollar amount; (.05) designation of an alternate charitable beneficiary in the trust instrument; and (.06) restriction of the charitable beneficiary to a public charity. If a trust is substantially similar

July 16, 2007 89 2007–29 I.R.B.

to the sample trust in section 7 of this revenue procedure or properly integrates one or more alternate provisions from section 9 into a document substantially similar to the sample trust in section 7, is a valid trust under applicable local law, and operates in a manner consistent with the terms of the instrument, and if all other requirements for deductibility are satisfied, the value of the charitable lead annuity interest will be deductible under §§ 170(a), 2522(c)(2)(B) and/or 2055(e)(2)(B). In addition, a grantor CLAT will qualify for the safe harbor created under this revenue procedure if the trust satisfies all of the requirements set forth in the preceding sentence, except that it: (i) reflects the choice of a different power or provision sufficient to make the donor the owner of the entire CLAT under subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A, provided that the power or provision selected is consistent with the requirements of a CLAT; (ii) defines the annuity amount as an increasing amount for which the value is ascertainable at the creation of the trust; and/or (iii) provides for a different disposition of trust assets upon the termination of the annuity period.

Except as provided above, a trust that contains substantive provisions in addition to those provided in section 4 or section 7 of this revenue procedure (other than properly integrated alternate provisions from section 6 or section 9, respectively, of this revenue procedure or provisions necessary to establish a valid trust under applicable local law that are not inconsistent with the applicable federal tax requirements), or that omits any of the provisions of section 4 or section 7 of this revenue procedure (unless an alternate provision from section 6 or section 9, respectively, of this revenue procedure is properly integrated), will not necessarily be ineligible for the relevant charitable deduction(s), but neither will that trust (or contributions to it) be assured of qualification for the appropriate charitable deductions. The Service generally will not issue a letter ruling on whether an inter vivos CLAT created by an individual qualifies for income, estate, and/or gift tax charitable deductions. The Service, however, generally will issue letter rulings relating to the tax consequences of the inclusion in a CLAT of substantive trust provisions other than those contained in sections 4, 6, 7, and 9 of this revenue procedure.

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▸Contents — Internal Revenue Bulletin 2007-29

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