In exchange for donating assets (cash, stocks, bonds, or other property) directly to charity while you're still alive, the government allows you to deduct the full value of the donated assets from your annual tax return. Though the immediate tax benefits may seem alluring, there are three reasons why outright gifting may not be the best choice:

1. You give up your ownership of the assets permanently.
2. You no longer receive the benefits of holding the assets, such as dividend payments.
3. You lose the prospect of allowing the assets to grow until you die.