Qualified Charitable Distributions [Video]

 Maybe you’re thinking of a way to support a not-for-profit or charity that you believe in.  Here’s another way to do that with something you already have; your traditional IRA.  These are known as Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD).  We’ve talked about IRAs before and how when you take money out it’s taxable.  At age 72 you have to start taking distributions, but maybe you don’t have anything to do with that money.

You could spend, save, reinvest, give, donate, or leverage it. We are going to talk about donating it, in this video.  One way to do this is to take the money out of your IRA, then give the funds to the charity.  In this case you would be taxed on the distribution of the funds because they are coming to you first.

But there is another way, a better way, if your goal is to donate the funds.  In this second scenario the funds come from your IRA and go directly to the organization you wish.

Specific Rules for Qualified Charitable Distributions:

1. You have to already be 72.  
2. You can give funds away up to $100,000 each year in this manner.  This rule is $100,000 per IRA owner.  So for a husband and wife with their own IRAs you could give up to $200,000.  Any funds in addition to this would be taxable as a distribution from your IRA.
3. The funds have to be going to a public charity, a 501 c(3) organization.
4. The gift is an irrevocable gift.  This means you can’t take the gift back after it’s been completed.

If you’re interested in doing this be sure to talk with your financial advisor to understand the timing for how to accomplish this and any deadlines for when to complete this by.