Tax-Wise Gifts for Non-Itemizers | Sharpe Group
Posted June 6th, 2025

Tax-Wise Gifts for Non-Itemizers

Sharpe Insights tax-wise gifts for non-itemizers image of owlIn the years since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the standard deduction, only a small percentage of taxpayers continue to itemize. What hasn’t diminished is Americans’ desire to support the causes and charities they believe in and that hold a special place in their hearts.

As you are discussing gift options with your planned giving donors, consider highlighting two that offer tax benefits whether they itemize or not:

 

Qualified charitable distributions from IRAs

Taxpayers who are age 70½ or older are required to take annual minimum distributions from their IRAs. These withdrawals come with income tax. Many of your donors of this age may wish, instead, to make a direct distribution to your organization (up to $108,000 this year), reducing the amount they would be taxed.

 

Gifts of appreciated stock

Even those who don’t itemize may benefit from donating appreciated stock instead of cash. For example, someone who normally gives $10,000 each year could contribute shares of stock worth the same amount while not having to pay capital gains tax that would be owed if the shares were sold. ■

The publisher of Sharpe Insights is not engaged in rendering legal or tax advisory service. For advice and assistance in specific cases, the services of your own counsel should be obtained. Articles in Sharpe Insights may generally be reprinted for distribution to board members and staff of nonprofit institutions and other non-donor groups. Proper credit must be given. Call for details.

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