Cash & Appreciated Property
Cash:
Convenient and accessible. Income tax deductible for itemizers up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI). Any excess is deductible over the next five years.
Appreciated Property:
Conserves cash for other uses. Income tax deductible as above, but up to 30% of AGI. Capital gains tax not incurred; full value of asset is deductible. Where there is little increase in value over the cost of an asset, it may be best to choose to base your tax deduction on the cost basis of the property and elect to deduct that amount up to 60% of AGI.