topic RMD and QCD application in Deductions & credits

RMD and QCD application

KT44 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:26:53 GMT

Hello,

Since I only understand with an example, here is the hypothetical question.

The calculated RMD for the year is 40K. Before you take RMD, you give 20K via QCD to an authorized charity. Now the question is

Do I get taxed only on the 20 K that was not given OR am I going to get taxed upon the whole 40K, 20K that I kept as income plus the 20K that I gave as QCD?

I hope I am clear as the idea is to give to 50% RMD to charity and pay tax only on 20K

Dr Kausar Talat

Re: RMD and QCD application

Bsch4477 — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 02:48:53 GMT

You get taxed on 20K.

Re: RMD and QCD application

NCperson — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:38:05 GMT

@KT44 - the whole idea of the QCD is create an incentive for people to give to charity. the benefit is lower taxes.

In your example, with no QCD, you would report $40k of income and be taxed accordingly on that.

but by directing $20k of the IRA distribution to a charity, that means only the remaining $20k is reported as income and taxed according, resuling in a lower tax bill than if no QCD occured.

Re: RMD and QCD application

Hal_Al — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:25:59 GMT

Using your example, the way it is reported on your tax form is: $40,000 is reported on line 4a ("IRA Distributions") of form 1040 and $20,000 ("Taxable amount") on line 4b. The notation QCD will appear on the dotted line to the left of line 4b.

Re: RMD and QCD application

VolvoGirl — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:44:24 GMT

You will get 1099R for the whole 40,000. After you enter the 1099R one of the following questions will ask about the QCD. Then the whole 40,000 will show up on 1040 line 4a but only the 20,000 taxable amount will be on line 4b with QCD written by it.

Re: RMD and QCD application

Mike9241 — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 23:39:37 GMT

@KT44 just as a reminder that the money to the charity must come directly from the IRA. you cannot take out $40K in cash and then give $20K to charity. that would not be a QCD.

Re: RMD and QCD application

pk — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 00:43:47 GMT

@KT44 , agreeing with my colleagues @Mike9241 , @VolvoGirl , @Hal_Al , i just wanted to make sure that if you were to direct your IRA administrator to use QCD of $20,000 out of your RMD of $40,000 as a direct transfer to a qualified charity, your 1099-R would show total distribution of $40,000 in box 1 and Taxable amount as $20,000 in Box 2a. Once you enter these data points , it would amount to you having met the RMD of $40,000 and taxed on $20,000. This is a direct transfer from IRA administrator to the Charity and so you do not have to itemize.

Does this answer your question or am I confusing the situation ?

Re: RMD and QCD application

dmertz — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 01:15:21 GMT

@pk, the correct amount in box 2a is $40,000, not $20,000. A code-7 Form 1099-R with the IRA/SEP/SIMPLE box must always have box 2a equal to box 1 and box 2b Taxable amount not determined marked. The actual taxable amount is established in the tax return, not on the Form 1099-R.

Re: RMD and QCD application

pk — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 19:30:58 GMT

@dmertz , you are correct ----I had assumed that the admin. having transferred directly the QCD amount had all the info to provide the correct taxable amount. But given the various and sundry different situations, that was too simplistic approach . I stand corrected..

I see on further looking into the situation & reading up pub 590-B, that indeed the owner of the account is the only one that can determine the taxable amount with the help of form 8606.

Thank you for pointing out my error