Charitable Lead Trust Calculator 2026 β CLAT & CLUT
Calculate Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) charitable deduction, remainder to heirs, and estate tax savings. Model zeroed-out CLAT using April 2026 Section 7520 rate (~5.2%). CLAT vs CLUT comparison.
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Quick:
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% of initial value (CLAT) or % of revalued assets (CLUT)
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April 2026 IRS rate: ~5.2%
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Actual investment return (determines remainder to heirs)
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PV of Charity Payments (Charitable Deduction)
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Taxable Gift (Remainder to Heirs)
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Gift Tax Saved vs Outright Gift
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Projected Remainder to Heirs
CLT Calculation Details
How a Charitable Lead Trust Works
A Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) distributes income to one or more charities for a set term. When the term ends, the remaining assets pass to the donor's heirs β often with significant estate and gift tax savings.
CLAT Gift Valuation Formula
PV of Charity Payments = Annual Payment Γ [(1 β (1 + Β§7520)^-term) / Β§7520]
Taxable Gift = Contribution β PV of Charity Payments
For zeroed-out CLAT: Payout Rate = Β§7520 Rate (gift = $0)
Above-hurdle return β tax-free wealth transfer to heirs
Taxable Gift = Contribution β PV of Charity Payments
For zeroed-out CLAT: Payout Rate = Β§7520 Rate (gift = $0)
Above-hurdle return β tax-free wealth transfer to heirs
Zeroed-Out CLAT Example: $2M contribution, 15-year term, 5.2% Β§7520 rate
Required annuity for $0 gift = $2M Γ [5.2% / (1 β 1.052^-15)] = ~$196K/year
If trust earns 8%: Final remainder = ~$1.1M β heirs receive $1.1M with $0 gift tax
If trust earns only 5.2%: Remainder = ~$0 (exactly zeroed out)
Required annuity for $0 gift = $2M Γ [5.2% / (1 β 1.052^-15)] = ~$196K/year
If trust earns 8%: Final remainder = ~$1.1M β heirs receive $1.1M with $0 gift tax
If trust earns only 5.2%: Remainder = ~$0 (exactly zeroed out)
Extended
Zeroed-Out CLAT Design + CLAT vs CLUT Comparison
Find the exact annuity rate to zero out the gift and compare CLAT vs CLUT side by side
Zeroed-Out CLAT Design
The required annuity rate to produce a $0 taxable gift at different Section 7520 rates and terms.
| Term | Β§7520 = 4% | Β§7520 = 5.2% | Β§7520 = 6% | Β§7520 = 7% | Remainder at 8% return |
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CLAT vs CLUT Comparison
| Feature | CLAT | CLUT |
|---|---|---|
| Charity payment type | Fixed annuity dollar amount | Fixed % of revalued assets |
| Zeroed-out planning | Easy to calculate | More complex |
| Inflation protection for charity | No β fixed dollar | Yes β grows with assets |
| Upside for heirs if trust outperforms | Higher (fixed charity payment) | Lower (charity share of gains) |
| Best for | Estate planning / high-growth assets | Inflation hedge / steady income |
| Income tax deduction (grantor CLT) | Yes β PV of all payments | Yes β PV of all payments |
Strategy tip: CLATs perform best when the trust's actual return exceeds the Β§7520 rate. In a rising-rate environment, consider a shorter term CLAT to capture any rate decrease for the zeroed-out calculation. A trust funded in a 5.2% rate environment that earns 8% can transfer substantial wealth tax-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Charitable Lead Trust and how does it differ from a Charitable Remainder Trust?
A CLT is the reverse of a CRT. In a Charitable Remainder Trust, the donor receives income for life and charity gets the remainder at death. In a Charitable Lead Trust, charity receives income FIRST for a set term, then the remainder passes to the donor's heirs. CLTs are primarily estate and gift tax planning tools, while CRTs are primarily income tax tools.
What is a "zeroed-out" CLAT?
A zeroed-out CLAT is structured so the present value of the charitable annuity payments equals the entire contribution amount, making the taxable gift to heirs mathematically zero. The technique works when the trust's actual investment return exceeds the IRS Section 7520 rate. Any "above-hurdle" growth passes to heirs completely gift-tax-free.
What is the Section 7520 rate and how does it affect CLTs?
The IRS Section 7520 rate (approximately 5.2% in April 2026) is the assumed rate of return for valuing charitable interests. For CLTs, a lower 7520 rate means charity's income stream is valued higher, making it easier to zero out the gift. A higher rate means more gift passes to heirs. CLTs perform best in low-rate environments.
What is the difference between a CLAT and a CLUT?
A CLAT (Charitable Lead Annuity Trust) pays a fixed dollar annuity to charity each year. A CLUT (Charitable Lead Unitrust) pays a fixed percentage of the trust's annually revalued assets to charity. CLATs are more commonly used for zeroed-out planning because the fixed payment is easy to calculate. CLUTs offer inflation protection but make zeroing out more complex.
Does a CLT provide an income tax deduction?
For a grantor CLT (CLAT), the donor gets an immediate income tax deduction for the present value of all charitable payments when the trust is funded. However, the donor must also report the trust's income during the term. Non-grantor CLTs get no upfront income tax deduction but the trust pays tax. Gift CLATs (non-grantor) are primarily used for gift and estate tax savings, not income tax.