Charitable Deduction in addition to standard deduction

[morganm50]

I've read for 2025 tax year filed in 2026, you can deduct a portion of the charitable contributions (Cash) in addition to receiving the standard deduction.  When I entered my charitable contributions into Turbo Tax, it says (your standard deduction covers the charitable contribution).  I thought charitable deductions COULD be included this year.  Don't seem that Turbo Tax recognized this additional deduction.  Am I doing something wrong? 

[DoninGA]

The option to enter a cash donation to charity even if your are taking the Standard Deduction is effective when filing a tax year 2026 return, next year in 2027.  It is not available when filing the 2025 tax return this year.

[morganm50]

Thanks for the info

[rkamrhine]

After seeing the information in on the TurboTax site and in newspapers and on various reputable websites when I google the question, I thought I would be able to deduct charitable donations even though I'm not itemizing. I've talke to TurboTax experts three times about it and there seems to be no solution. Somebody apparently put out incorrect information and it became widely reported. I bet there are a lot of people who are in the same confused boat.

[rkamrhine]

This post is also in the Community/ Topics site, though the date on it is August 2025:

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).

[DoninGA]

@rkamrhine That is effective for tax year 2026 to be filed next year in 2027.  It is not for tax year 2025.

[morganm50]

I think I'm aware of what you are talking about.  I was told the new charitable deduction in addition to the standard deduction begins in 2026.  You'll be able to use that deduction on next years taxes, not 2025.

[VolvoGirl]

@rkamrhine   You posted a copy of it from August 2025.  Can you post the link to that post or page?

[rkamrhine]

Here is the link to the page I was looking at:

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/charity-if-i-donate-to-charity-in-2025-how-can-i-...

If I'm understanding this now, you are able to use those donations from 2025 when you file for the 2026 tax year, so save them somewhere. What I've read about 2026 and beyond is that IRS will establish a "floor," which means those donations you want to include in addition to the standard deduction will need to exceed a small percentage of your AGI before they can be deducted.

This apparently was not made clear when the information was put out because so many news outlets and posters thought the actual deduction began with 2025 tax year.

[VolvoGirl]

Go back and re read that whole thread.  It does say 2026 in several places.   If it said 2025 before then maybe it was edited and fixed to be 2026.   That thread looks right to me now.  

There is no change for charitable contributions for 2025. Starting in 2026 you will be able to deduct up to $1,000 of cash charitable contributions ($2,000 if married filing jointly) without itemizing deductions.

Also starting in 2026, the itemized deduction for charitable contributions will be allowed only for contributions in excess of 0.5% of MAGI.

[Karis_F]

Starting with the 2026 tax year (for return filed in 2027), those taxpayers who do not itemize deductions can take an above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married filing jointly.