- Beginning in 2020, individual taxpayers who take the standard deduction are now allowed an “above the line” charitable income tax deduction equal to the amount of cash charitable cash gifts to public charities up to $300 per individuals ($600 joint filers.)
- 2020 only for cash contributions to public charities, individual taxpayers who itemize are allowed to claim a charitable income tax deduction up to 100% of adjusted gross income (usually 60%.)
- 2020 only for cash contributions to public charities, Subchapter C–corporations can claim a charitable income tax deduction up to 25% of the corporation’s taxable income (usually 10%.)
- 2020 only while Requirement Minimum Distributions from IRA and other qualified retirement accounts were suspended, individuals 70 ½ and older remain eligible to make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) pre-tax up to $100,000 directly to public charities.
Focusing on the potential opportunity for individuals that itemize deductions and that have both the interest and capacity to make large charitable gifts, a coordinated year-end approach incorporating appreciated marketable securities, IRA QCDs and cash can produce superior tax benefits.
For example, assume a taxpayer age 73 with recurring adjusted gross income of $1mil. If they wanted to fund a $1mil gift across public and private charities, in either 2019 or 2021, they could only fully deduct 50% ($500,000) against current income and be forced to carryforward the remaining 50% ($500,000) deduction to be used against future income (for up to five years). In 2020, the same donor could effectively deduct >100% of current years income.
Under both scenarios, by partially funding their gift with qualified marketable securities, the unrealized taxable gain inherent therein is never taxed – a wise tax move. Additionally, since no 2020 taxable IRA distributions were required (and assumed not taken), by utilizing the full $100,000 QCD from their IRA, taxpayer has no IRA related taxable income and is still able to direct pre-tax IRA proceeds to further amplify their charitable giving objectives. When viewed in conjunction with the gifts outlined above, this charitably focused client can effectively shelter > 100% of taxable income, while directing $1.1 mil to charities of their choice.
As you can see, charitable deductions are subject not only to adjusted gross income limitations, but also multiple and interrelated limits based on the recipient organization type (public charity/private foundation/other) and the various types of property contributed. These rules can be difficult to apply.
In order to best assess what 2020 year-end charitable planning strategies might best work for your unique tax situation, please speak to your Pathstone advisory team and engage with your tax professionals as soon as possible.
