It’s almost Hanukkah, a time for giving and receiving

You give a lot of gifts at this time of year. Were any of them for a charity and tax-deductible? Take advantage of the Katrina Tax Relief Act which allows deductions up to 100 percent of your gross income for charitable donations.

What are you going to do with your year-end bonus?

Not only can you give gifts to family, friends and colleagues that demonstrate your appreciation and generosity, but you can also make a special gift that benefits your family…your community…the Jewish people…even yourself.

Dec. 31 is the Deadline — Don’t Wait Another Minute!

You’re just one click away from making a special contribution to the United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ. Your gift has the power to help so many people locally and around the world. Your generosity enables the Jewish community to act quickly to make the world a better place.

And, if you act now, you can take advantage of The Hurricane Katrina Tax Relief Act, which allows you to make gifts of cash or checks between Aug. 28 and Dec. 31, 2005 and deduct the entire gift from your income -- up to 100 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI) -- reducing income taxes. Normally charitable deductions are limited to 50 percent of AGI.

To make a secure online donation now, click here.

You can also choose to use stocks or mutual funds to make a contribution. To ensure that your donation qualifies as a charitable contribution for 2005, please consider making your contribution early enough (delivery by Friday, Dec. 30 for stocks and by Thursday, Dec. 1 for mutual funds) to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. This is particularly important this year, since the last business day of the year is Friday, Dec. 30.

More ways to help secure your financial future and our Jewish community

The end of the year is also a good time to consider planned giving. The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) of MetroWest NJ can help you find the best way to achieve your financial, estate planning, and charitable goals.

You don’t have to be wealthy to make a significant contribution. With even a small initial gift, you can create a permanent legacy.

Planned giving offers many benefits. You receive a charitable income tax deduction. You designate how your gift is to be used – to provide unrestricted funds to help meet community needs now and in the future or to provide permanent resources to programs or organizations that are of particular interest to you.

Choose from a variety of options

Philanthropic Fund (also knows as Donor-Advised Fund) – a minimum gift of $10,000 establishes a fund, gives you an immediate tax deduction, and allows you to recommend grants over your lifetime – or that of your successor – to charities you wish to support at any time.

Charitable gift annuity – a one-time gift ($10,000 or more) that provides you with a fixed income for life, beginning at age 65 or later; the remainder of the gift goes to the Jewish community.

Charitable bequest – a donation established through your will in any amount, either to a general cause or to benefit a specific area or interest.

To qualify as a charitable contribution for 2005, planned gifts must be made by Friday, Dec. 30 to comply with IRS Regulations.

For more information, visit www.ujcnj.org/jcf, call 973/929.3060, or e-mail .