Have you ever considered making a charitable contribution to Queen of All Saints Parish or School?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution may offer tax savings to you and help the Parish and School thrive
Smart Giving Strategies for IRA Owners
Starting at age 73, the IRS requires IRA owners to take annual withdrawals, known as Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Failure to comply can result in significant penalties. However, not all retirees may want or need to take their RMDs—some may have sufficient income from other sources or worry about the tax implications of additional income.
Thankfully, for individuals aged 70½ or older, there’s a tax-efficient solution: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
By leveraging QCDs, you can make a meaningful difference for the causes you care about while also achieving your financial and tax-planning goals.
What is a QCD?
A QCD allows individuals to donate up to $105,000 per year directly from a taxable IRA to one or more qualifying charities. These donations count toward your annual RMD and provide numerous financial and tax benefits.
Key Benefits of a QCD
- Reduce Your Taxable Income
- QCDs are not reported as taxable income, even for those who don’t itemize deductions.
- By lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI), a QCD can help prevent phaseouts of other tax deductions and reduce the taxable portion of Social Security benefits.
- Avoid Higher Tax Brackets
- Without adding RMD income to your tax return, you can avoid being pushed into a higher tax bracket, which can also help protect your Medicare benefits from higher premium rates.
- Support Your Favorite Charities
- Your IRA assets can go directly to the charities you care about, making an immediate impact.
- Exceed Traditional Giving Limits
- Unlike cash donations, which are typically capped at 20–60% of AGI, QCDs are not subject to AGI-based limits. This allows for larger charitable gifts than would otherwise be possible.
- Reduce Future RMDs
- By decreasing the balance in your IRA, QCDs may help lower your future required minimum distributions, reducing future tax liabilities.
- Ideal for Immediate Giving
- QCDs are well-suited for individuals who have already identified charities to support and want to make a substantial gift now, without involving donor-advised funds or private foundations.
Who Should Consider a QCD?
A QCD may be a great giving strategy for donors who:
- Are required to take RMDs but don’t need the funds for living expenses.
- Want to minimize tax liabilities associated with their RMDs.
- Seek to make larger charitable gifts than would be possible through cash or other assets.
- Prefer to donate directly to charities rather than through foundations or donor-advised funds.
Explore how a MOST 529 plan can work for your family today and make the most of the opportunity to give your child the gift of a Catholic education at Queen of All Saints.
A MOST 529 plan is a powerful tool that helps families save for educational expenses while providing significant tax benefits. Originally designed for college savings, 529 plans can now also be used to pay for elementary and secondary school tuition at private and religious schools, like Queen of All Saints.
Contributions to a MOST 529 plan grow tax-free, and withdrawals used for qualified education expenses—including K-12 tuition—are also tax-free. Additionally, many states, including Missouri and Illinois, offer state income tax deductions or credits for MOST 529 contributions.
With recent tax law changes, families can use up to $10,000 per year from a MOST 529 plan to pay for private elementary or secondary school tuition. This makes MOST 529 plans an excellent way to reduce the financial burden of providing a quality, faith-based education for your child.
By utilizing a MOST 529 plan, you’re not just covering tuition—you’re making an investment in your child’s academic and spiritual development. At Queen of All Saints, we provide an education rooted in faith, values, and academic excellence, preparing students for lifelong success.
Even small, consistent contributions to a MOST 529 plan can make a significant impact over time. Whether your child is just starting their educational journey or already enrolled, leveraging a MOST 529 plan can help you plan ahead and save more effectively.
