3 Smart Ways to Give to Charity Under New Tax Law
Starting in 2018, the tax deduction that giving to charity provides may be no longer be available to many people. That is, unless they change the way they give. Here are three strategies to help keep the deduction many count on.
The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act makes significant changes to the tax code that will impact many taxpayers. While the tax act’s main beneficiaries are corporations (a single 21% corporate tax rate now applies), individuals may also benefit from lower rates and a higher standard deduction.
Perhaps the single biggest change for individuals is a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions. Taxpayers in states with high income taxes and high real estate property taxes — like New York, New Jersey and California — will be most affected. The Tax Policy Center estimates this change will reduce the number of taxpayers who itemize from 37 million to about 16 million. Capping the SALT deduction may have a ripple effect for some taxpayers — meaning their previously itemized deductions (including charitable deductions) won’t exceed the new standard deduction.
For taxpayers who have a history of making charitable contributions, making sure those contributions have maximum tax benefit may require some additional planning. Let’s review some strategies that could help minimize your tax bill while also helping to do good.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
A Chunky Way to Give to Charity
The first strategy involves “chunking” two years of charitable deductions into one tax year. By making charitable contributions in January and December of the same year (think of the December contribution as paying one month in advance), taxpayers may be able to claim itemized deductions in the year of their charitable gifting and take a standard deduction in the alternate year. This need not change one’s gifting level, merely the timing.
Another Helpful Way to Give: Donor Advised Funds
A slightly different method to take advantage of the “chunking” strategy is to again make multiple-year charitable gifts in one tax year, but this time via a donor advised fund (DAF). Contributors to DAFs receive a tax deduction in the year of contribution, while retaining control over the timing of the distribution to the charity of their choice. To illustrate, John & Mary Smith gift $25,000 of appreciated stock to a donor advised fund with their area community foundation in 2018 and deduct this charitable contribution on their 2018 tax return. John & Mary can make distributions from their DAF to support various charities of their choice, perhaps over the next several years.
Finally, You Can Tap Your IRA
Finally, another strategy only available for taxpayers over age 70½ and involves making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from one’s IRA. A QCD counts towards one’s required minimum distribution (RMD) but is not included in taxable income on the tax return. This strategy results in the taxpayer getting the benefit of the charitable contribution (through lower income) irrespective of whether they itemize deductions.
As with any tax strategy, one needs to consult a tax professional on whether certain strategies apply to their specific circumstance. The good news is with advance planning you can make the new tax law work to your benefit.
Mike Palmer has over 25 years of experience helping successful people make smart decisions about money. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Mr. Palmer is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and past member of the TIAA-CREF Board of Advisors.
-
Strategies to Optimize Your Social Security Benefits
To maximize what you can collect, it’s crucial to know when you can file, how delaying filing affects your checks and the income limit if you’re still working.
By Jason “JB” Beckett Published
-
Don’t Forget to Update Beneficiaries After a Gray Divorce
Some states automatically revoke a former spouse as a beneficiary on some accounts. Waivers can be used, too. Best not to leave it up to your state, though.
By Andrew Hatherley, CDFA®, CRPC® Published
-
Strategies to Optimize Your Social Security Benefits
To maximize what you can collect, it’s crucial to know when you can file, how delaying filing affects your checks and the income limit if you’re still working.
By Jason “JB” Beckett Published
-
Don’t Forget to Update Beneficiaries After a Gray Divorce
Some states automatically revoke a former spouse as a beneficiary on some accounts. Waivers can be used, too. Best not to leave it up to your state, though.
By Andrew Hatherley, CDFA®, CRPC® Published
-
What’s the Difference Between a CPA and a Tax Planner?
CPAs do the important number crunching for tax preparation and filing, but tax planners look at the big picture and come up with tax-saving strategies.
By Joe F. Schmitz Jr., CFP®, ChFC® Published
-
Charitable Remainder Trust: The Stretch IRA Alternative
The SECURE Act killed the stretch IRA, but a properly constructed charitable remainder trust can deliver similar benefits, with some caveats.
By Brandon Mather, CFP®, CEPA, ChFEBC® Published
-
Three Ways to Take Control of Your Money During Financial Literacy Month
Budgeting, building an emergency fund and taking advantage of a multitude of workplace benefits can get you on track and keep you there.
By Craig Rubino Published
-
How Did O.J. Simpson Avoid Paying the Brown and Goldman Families?
And now that he’s died, will the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman be able to collect on the 1997 civil judgment?
By John M. Goralka Published
-
What Not to Do if an Employee or Loved One Is Kidnapped
Businesses need to have a crisis plan in place so that everyone knows what to do and how to do it. Sometimes, calling the authorities isn’t recommended.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Why You Shouldn’t Let High Interest Rates Seduce You
While increased interest rates are improving the returns on high-yield savings accounts, that may not be an effective place to park your money for the long term.
By Kelly LaVigne, J.D. Published