Washington News

July is a great month to consider plans for charitable gifts in 2025. These gifts could include an IRA charitable rollover, a gift of cash or a gift of appreciated stock or land.

1. IRA Charitable Rollover — The IRS refers to the IRA charitable rollover as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). An individual over age 70½ is permitted to make a transfer directly from his or her IRA custodian to a qualified charity. The transfer is not included in taxable income. If the IRA owner is over age 73, the distribution may fulfill part or all of the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD).
   
   Because many individuals have invested their IRAs in stocks, bonds or other securities, it may be necessary to exchange the IRA stock or bond accounts for a money market fund prior to the distribution. Most IRA custodians require a QCD to be paid from a money market account or similar fund. With equities markets at high levels, some individuals may choose to transfer funds from equities to a money market fund early in the year to prepare for their IRA charitable rollover.
   
   There are some limits for the IRA charitable rollover. The IRA owner must be at least age 70½ and the maximum transfer in 2025 is $108,000. The transfer must be to a qualified exempt charity and may be for a designated purpose or field of interest fund. However, it may not be to a donor advised fund (DAF) or supporting organization (SO). In addition, transfers may not be for a charity dinner or other event that involves a partial benefit to the donor. The entire QCD must be for a qualified charitable purpose.
    
2. Gifts of Cash — In 2025, individuals who itemize deductions may deduct charitable gifts of cash up to 60% of their contribution base, which is usually their adjusted gross income (AGI). While the 60% limit is substantial, some generous individuals give more than this and may carry forward and deduct the excess gift amounts over the next five years.
    
3. Gifts of Stock or Land — With substantial increases in value for both stocks and real property, many donors will find that a 2025 gift of appreciated property is attractive. A gift of appreciated stock or land provides two benefits for the donor. First, the donor may receive a charitable contribution deduction for the fair market value of the stock or land. Second, the charity is tax-exempt and therefore the donor is able to bypass tax on the capital gain.

If the donor purchased stock seven years ago for $10 per share and it is now worth $50 per share, the donor would pay capital gains tax on $40 if he or she sold the stock. However, by giving the stock to charity, the donor may receive a deduction for the $50 in value and bypass the tax on the $40 of potential gain. Because the donor is receiving both the deduction and capital gain bypass benefits, this type of gift is permitted to 30% of adjusted gross income (AGI). Once again, if the value is in excess of this limit, it may be carried forward for an additional five years.

For example, Mary Smith has adjusted gross income of $100,000 this year and makes a gift of appreciated stock with a fair market value of $40,000. She is able to deduct $30,000 and carry forward $10,000 and deduct that amount over the following five years. 

Editor’s Note: Summer is a good time to make plans and consider the options for gifts in 2025.