There are different ways you can remit your donations to the Zen Center and you will receive a receipt for each donation.
Zelle
Online banking recipient: ctzencenter@gmail.com (Chung Tai International Chan Buddhist Association)
Please note with your purpose, e.g., lamp offering, general offering, and ceremony etc.
Once you have completed the Zelle donation, please email us for further contact and receipt emailing etc.
PayPal Service:
Another option is to make your donations via PayPal. You can set up a PayPal account online, or donate without setting up an account (by using your credit card). Either way, press the “Make a Donation” box below to make your donation to the Zen Center via PayPal.
Please note that PayPal deducts 2-3% as their service fee, which the Zen Center will absorb; your full amount will be counted as donation.
Credit Card
Please call the Zen Center at 281-568-1568.
Personal Check :
Write a check payable to “Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston ”and mail it by post to the Zen Center at 12129 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072. You may also give it in person at the Zen Center. Either way, a receipt will be mailed or handed to you promptly.
Electronic Payment via Your Bank’s Online Bill Pay System:
A convenient way to make donations is using your bank’s online banking “Bill Pay” service. Add “Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston” as a payee, enter the aforementioned mailing address, and schedule the payment. You can set up an automatic recurring payment plan or one-time only. Include a note/memo where possible that this is a donation.
Online Bill Pay is usually free to the bank’s customers and also free to the recipient of the funds. This means the Zen Center will receive 100% of the amount you donate without handling fees.
Donation of Stocks:
Donations of appreciated securities held longer than one year are exempt from capital gain taxes if the stocks are transferred to the Zen Center directly. The Zen Center then sells the stocks typically within the next few days. Your gift to the Zen Center entitles you to a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the stocks at the time of transfer. If you sell the stocks first and then donate the funds to the Zen Center, the appreciated value is subject to capital gain tax.
For example: If you donate 10 shares of a stock which was at $100 a share when you purchased them over a year ago, and is valued at $150 a share today, you can deduct $1,500 from your income tax, more than what you paid for the stocks. Moreover, the $500 appreciated value is exempt from capital gain tax. If you sell the stocks first and then donate the funds, the $500 is subject to capital gain tax. For more information, please call the Zen Center at (281)-568-1568.
REMEMBER CHUNG TAI IN YOUR ESTATE PLAN
We invite you to consider leaving a lasting legacy with Chung Tai by adding a charitable provision to your will or trust to designate a certain amount or percentage of funds to “Chung Tai International Chan Buddhist Association.” Let us know if you have already or plan to do this so we can thank you for your generosity and provide you the specific bequest language if necessary. (Please consult your accountant and/or tax attorney on your estate planning.)
For any questions about making offerings and remitting donations to the Zen Center, please do not hesitate to call or email ctzencenter@gmail.com.