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SECTION 3. SCOPE

Internal Revenue Bulletin 2008-30 · 2026-10-03 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · United States

A CLUT 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 CLUT created during the donor’s life satisfy the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, a gift of the charitable lead unitrust 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 unitrust 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 CLUTs: a “nongrantor CLUT” and a “grantor CLUT.” The income tax consequences are different for each. A nongrantor CLUT 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 CLUT 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 CLUT with a term of years unitrust 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) a unitrust period for the life of one individual; (.02) retention of the right to substitute the charitable lead beneficiary; (.03) apportionment of the unitrust amount in the discretion of the trustee; and (.04) 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

July 28, 2008 224 2008–30 I.R.B.

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 unitrust 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 CLUT 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 unitrust amount as a varying percentage 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 unitrust period.

A CLUT is a grantor CLUT if the donor, who is a citizen or resident of the United States, is treated as the owner of the entire CLUT under subpart E, part I of subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A. The value of the charitable lead unitrust interest in a grantor CLUT 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 CLUT, 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 unitrust payments are made to charitable organizations each year.

Section 7 of this revenue procedure provides a sample declaration of trust for a grantor CLUT 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) a unitrust period for the life of one individual; (.02) retention of the right to substitute the charitable lead beneficiary; (.03) apportionment of the unitrust amount in the discretion of the trustee; and (.04) designation of an alternate charitable beneficiary in the trust instrument. If a trust is substantially similar 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 unitrust interest will be deductible under §§ 170(a), 2522(c)(2)(B) and/or 2055(e)(2)(B). In addition, a grantor CLUT 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 CLUT 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 CLUT; (ii) defines the unitrust amount as a varying percentage 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 unitrust 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 CLUT 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 CLUT of substantive trust provisions other than those contained in sections 4, 6, 7, and 9 of this revenue procedure.

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