IRA distributions go to you, not the IRS, but if you are asking about the tax on IRA distributions then yes, you can have the trustee of the IRA make a direct transfer to a recognized charity (a QCD - Qualified Charitable Contribution) and that will not add to your taxable income.
See IRS Pub 590B
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b#en_US_2017_publink100041439
"Qualified charitable distributions.
A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is
generally a nontaxable distribution made directly by the trustee of your
IRA (other than a SEP or SIMPLE IRA) to an organization eligible to
receive tax deductible contributions. You must be at least age 70½ when
the distribution was made. Also, you must have the same type of
acknowledgment of your contribution that you would need to claim a
deduction for a charitable contribution. See Records To Keep in Pub. 526.
The maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is
$100,000. Any QCD in excess of the $100,000 exclusion limit is included
in income as any other distribution. If you file a joint return, your
spouse can also have a QCD and exclude up to $100,000. The amount of the
QCD is limited to the amount of the distribution that would otherwise
be included in income. If your IRA includes nondeductible contributions,
the distribution is first considered to be paid out of otherwise
taxable income.
A QCD will count towards your required minimum distribution.
You can't claim a charitable contribution deduction for any QCD not included in your income."
**Disclaimer: This post is for discussion purposes only and is NOT tax advice. The author takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information in this post.**
