Giving more of what you've built to the causes that matter to you.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you are 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to a qualified charity. The distribution satisfies your Required Minimum Distribution without adding to your taxable income. This is one of the most efficient options available to retirees, and it can help manage your tax bracket and Medicare premium calculations.

Naming a charity as a retirement account beneficiary

IRAs and 401(k)s are fully taxable when inherited by individuals. When you name a charity as a beneficiary instead, the entire amount passes tax-free. This lets you direct a high-impact gift to an organization while leaving more tax-friendly assets to your family.

Donating appreciated securities

When you donate long-term appreciated stock or mutual funds directly to a charity, you avoid capital gains tax entirely and can deduct the full fair market value. Both you and the charity benefit more than if you had sold the asset first and donated the cash proceeds.

Contributing non-cash assets

Real estate, privately held business interests, and restricted stock can offer significant tax advantages when donated. Assets held more than one year may be deductible at full fair market value while avoiding capital gains tax. Proper appraisal and documentation are required, and AGI limitations apply.

Selecting which assets to gift

Not all assets are equal for gifting purposes. Prioritizing highly appreciated assets or those with a low cost basis, rather than cash, reduces your future tax burden and increases the value of the gift. Cash is often the least efficient asset to donate if you hold appreciated investments.

Bunching charitable contributions

Rather than giving a modest amount each year, consider consolidating several years of donations into a single tax year to push your deductions above the standard deduction threshold and allow you to itemize. A donor-advised fund makes this practical by letting you spread actual gifts to charities over time.

Giving in high-income years

If you are facing an unusually high-income year due to a business sale, stock options, or another liquidity event, accelerating charitable contributions can offset that income and reduce your effective tax rate. This aligns well with broader income and estate planning strategy.

Offsetting a Roth IRA conversion

Converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA generates taxable income in the year of conversion. A well-timed charitable deduction can help offset that income and make the tax impact of the conversion more manageable.