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IRA Distributions Can Benefit Your Favorite Cause … and Your Tax Bill

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction beginning in 2018 and indexed it annually for inflation through 2025 ($12,950 for single taxpayers and $25,900 for joint filers in 2022; $13,850 and $27,700 in 2023). The result was a dramatic reduction in the number of filers who itemize — from 30.6% of all returns in 2017 to 9.5% in 2020.1



As the number of itemizers fell, so did the amount individuals gave to charities as a percentage of total annual contributions. According to Giving USA, the total amount dropped below 70% for the first time ever in 2018 and remained there through 2021.2

Although the primary motivation for charitable giving usually comes from a desire to give back, an associated tax break can be a strong supporting factor. If you are an IRA owner who is 70½ or older, you may be pleased to learn that you can give to charity without itemizing and still get a tax break through what’s known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

How a QCD Works

Generally, distributions from traditional IRAs are subject to federal income tax, unless an exception applies. QCDs, however, are excluded from income and therefore won’t affect your tax obligation. Moreover, once you reach age 72, a QCD can satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD), which otherwise could substantially increase your taxable income for any given year.

To make a QCD, you would direct your IRA trustee to issue a check made out to a qualified public charity. You may contribute up to $100,000 from your IRA; if you’re married, your spouse may also contribute up to $100,000 from his or her IRA.

A QCD must be an otherwise taxable distribution from an IRA. If you’ve made nondeductible IRA contributions, then each distribution normally carries with it a pro-rata amount of taxable and nontaxable dollars. If you have multiple IRAs, they are aggregated to determine the calculation. With QCDs, the pro-rata rule is ignored, and taxable dollars are treated as distributed first.


Charitable Giving by Source, 2021 (in billions)

Charitable source by giving, 2021: Individuals $326.87 billion or 67%, Foundations 90.00 billion or 19%, Bequests 40.01 billion or 9%, Corporations, $21.08 billion or 4%, Total: $484.85 billion.
Source: Giving USA, 2022 (total may not equal 100% due to rounding)


QCDs come with a few caveats:

Private foundations, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations (as defined by the IRS), charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts are ineligible to receive QCDs.

1) IRS, 2022 (most recent full-year data )
2) Giving USA, 2022

This information is not intended as tax, legal, investment, or retirement advice or recommendations, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek guidance from an independent tax or legal professional. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2022 Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

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