Qualified charitable donations (QCDs): Giving with IRAs, lowering taxes, satisfying RMDs

Are you looking to make a charitable distribution from your IRA? 

Find out how to make a tax-smart move with Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), a method that allows individuals 70½ or older to give back directly from their IRAs without incurring income taxes on the donations. 

Our guide tackles the key elements you need: understanding QCD benefits, navigating eligibility requirements, and executing a successful donation—a straightforward path to making your charitable impact.

Understanding charitable distributions from IRAs

Donating from an IRA lets individuals use retirement savings for charity. Naming a charity as an IRA beneficiary creates a tax-efficient estate plan, ensuring the donor’s generosity continues after their passing. 

This approach benefits the charity and the heirs, often increasing funds available compared to traditional distribution methods.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) lie at the heart of this strategy. By implementing QCDs, IRA owners can support charities directly from their IRAs.

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) involves transferring funds directly from an IRA custodian to a qualified charity providing potential tax benefits for the donor.

Individuals aged 70½ or older can contribute up to $100,000 directly from their IRA to charity through a QCD, thereby avoiding income taxes on the distribution. QCDs allow you to support your favorite charities while satisfying RMD requirements and reducing your taxable income at the same time.

QCDs go directly to the charitable organization; since they are not subject to withholding, every penny you donate goes straight to the charity.

Tax advantages of QCDs

QCDs come with several tax benefits for donors, including:

• Not considered taxable events
• Do not require itemization
• Standard deductions permitted
• Lower a donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Reduce AGI without the need for itemized deduction
• May help reduce taxes when converting a traditional IRA to Roth

Consulting a tax advisor can help in understanding these benefits more effectively.

Eligibility criteria for charitable distributions from IRAs

Traditional and Roth IRA owners can make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), provided they are made directly by the IRA trustee to the charity. 

However, it’s worth noting that SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) and SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) IRAs can only be used for QCDs if they are inactive, meaning no ongoing contributions are being made.

Age requirement

Individuals must be at least 70½ years old to make a QCD from their IRA. Although required minimum distributions (RMDs) now begin at age 73, the qualification for QCDs still begins at age 70½.

This age requirement applies to all types of IRAs – traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs, the latter two only when they have become inactive. Beneficiaries of inherited IRAs are also eligible to make QCDs once they reach the age of 70½, subject to the same annual limit.

Maximum annual donation limit

The maximum annual limit for QCDs for an individual IRA owner who is at least 70½ years old is $100,000.

Married couples can combine their QCDs for a total maximum annual exclusion of $200,000, provided each spouse is eligible and has an IRA. This means a couple can double their impact on the charities they support.

Choosing the right charity for your IRA distribution

Choosing the right charity for your IRA distribution is a crucial step in the process.

Types of eligible charities

QCDs can generally be made to 501(c)(3) organizations. These non-profit organizations are exempt from federal income tax and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. However, not all non-profits are eligible for QCDs. 

Organizations that qualify for QCDs include:

• Non-profit hospitals
• Churches and religious organizations
• Schools and universities
• Public charities

Organizations such as private foundations, supporting organizations, and donor-advised funds do not qualify for QCDs.

Verifying charitable status

To ensure tax-free QCDs, donors must verify that the charity is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization and that the QCD is transferred directly from the IRA trustee to the charity. This verification process is crucial to prevent any tax implications down the line.

Donors should also obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity confirming the contribution date and amount and clarifying whether any goods or services were provided in exchange. This acknowledgment serves as the necessary documentation to correctly report a QCD on tax returns.

Implementing a charitable distribution from your IRA

Once you’ve chosen an eligible charity and verified its status, the next step is implementing the charitable distribution from your IRA. The funds from the IRA trustee must be transferred directly to the charity without any intermediary. It is important to request a distribution check made payable directly to the charity to ensure the distribution can be considered a tax-free qualified charitable distribution.

Implementation of the charitable distribution process involves meticulous planning and careful execution. Remember, to qualify as a QCD, the funds must never come into the possession of the IRA owner; instead, the check should be sent directly from the IRA to the charity. Any deviation from this process may lead to unintended tax consequences.

Direct transfer process

QCDs must be transferred directly from the IRA trustee to the qualified charity to comply with tax regulations.

If the distribution is first made to the IRA owner and then passed on to a charity, it does not qualify as a QCD and will not receive the tax exemption. Also, a QCD must be carried out by December 31 of the respective year to be excluded from taxable income. Therefore, proper timing and direct transfer are vital for a successful QCD, and it’s essential to be aware of state tax rules.

Documentation requirements

For tax purposes, the IRA owner must obtain an acknowledgment of the donation from the charity. This acknowledgment must be written and should state the date and amount of the contribution and whether any value was received in return.

QCDs must be reported as taxable amounts on the IRA owner’s tax return. If the distribution qualifies, the notation ‘QCD’ should be used on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Financial institutions report QCDs on Form 1099-R, but no specific code indicates a QCD distribution, requiring careful verification by the IRA owner.

Alternative charitable giving strategies with IRAs

While QCDs are a popular and efficient way to support charities, other strategies exist.

Charitable remainder trusts

One alternative strategy is using a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). A CRT can be funded with an IRA to provide an income stream to beneficiaries for a specified period or for life, with the remainder going to charity.

As of 2023, QCDs can fund a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT), a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT), or Charitable Gift Annuities up to a maximum one-time amount of $50,000.

This arrangement can benefit both beneficiaries and charities. It allows the distribution of IRA assets to spread over time, potentially reducing tax liabilities for heirs. After the trust term ends, the remainder of the CRT can be directed to a charity, creating a philanthropic legacy and supporting the charity’s mission.

Donor-advised funds

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are another option for IRA owners seeking alternative charitable giving strategies. By designating a DAF as a beneficiary to an IRA or 401(k), account owners and their heirs gain flexibility in managing and distributing charitable contributions.

Upon the IRA owner’s death, their assets can fund a DAF, which then has the flexibility to distribute donations immediately or over time or to allow a designated successor to recommend grants to charities. This strategy provides a lasting impact and allows assets to be distributed to selected charities over time, establishing a legacy of giving.

Final word

Charitable distributions from IRAs offer a tax-efficient and impactful way to support the causes you care about. By understanding the benefits, eligibility criteria, and implementation process, you can maximize your giving and leave a lasting legacy. Whether you choose to make Qualified Charitable Distributions, establish a Charitable Remainder Trust, or designate a Donor-Advised Fund as your IRA beneficiary, your generosity can make a significant difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a QCD better than a charitable deduction?

A QCD can potentially enable a donor to give a bigger charitable gift than they could if they just donated cash or other assets, as it is not counted toward the maximum deductible amounts for those who itemize their giving.

What is the QCD RMD rule?

The QCD RMD rule allows individuals over 70½ to donate from their IRA to charities, which can help satisfy their required minimum distributions (RMDs) and reduce their income taxes by lowering their adjusted gross income (AGI).

How do I transfer money from my IRA to charity?

To transfer money from your IRA to a charity, fill out a designated beneficiary form through your employer or plan administrator. Ensure that the IRA trustee transfers the funds directly from the IRA to the charity to qualify for the tax break.

What is the best way to leave an IRA to charity?

The best way to leave an IRA to charity is to complete the beneficiary designation form, which allows you to name the charity. Alternatively, consider opening a donor-advised fund and naming it the beneficiary of the IRA. This way, the fund can be distributed to the chosen charities after your death.

What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian to a qualified charity. It offers an efficient way for older Americans to support charities while fulfilling their required minimum distributions (RMDs) and excluding the donated amount from taxable income.