The rules for charitable deductions have changed recently.. Here is a summary of the current rules and how you can get a tax benefit for your charitable donations.
For Tax Year 2025
For the 2025 tax year, there is a way to get a benefit from your charitable donations even if you don't itemize.
- Deduction for Non-Itemizers: You can take a special deduction for your charitable contributions.
- Single filers: Up to $1,000 in cash donations.
- Married couples filing jointly: Up to $2,000 in cash donations.
- This is an "above-the-line" deduction, meaning it reduces your taxable income directly, and you can claim it in addition to taking the standard deduction.
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free distribution directly from your IRA to a qualified charity.
- This is not a deduction, but it is a major benefit because the money is not counted as taxable income.
- It can also count towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
- Learn more about QCDs from the IRS.
Looking ahead to Tax Year 2026:
Beginning in 2026, the rules for charitable deductions are changing again.
- Deduction for Non-Itemizers: The deduction for cash donations for non-itemizers will continue. The limits will be $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- Changes for Itemizers: A new rule will affect itemizing taxpayers. You can only deduct the portion of your charitable contributions that exceeds 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). This means small donations might
To benefit from a donation in 2025 without itemizing, you will want to:
- Make sure your donation is a cash contribution to a qualified public charity.
- Keep a record of your donation (like a bank record or a written acknowledgment from the charity).
- Claim the special deduction for non-itemizers when you file your 2025 tax return.
For more information see:
Please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
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Terri Lynn
