Giving directly from an IRA can satisfy your RMD without adding to taxable income. See the tax it saves.
Estimates the income tax saved by giving directly from your IRA to charity as a Qualified Charitable Distribution instead of taking a taxable required distribution.
A QCD lets you send money straight from your IRA to a qualifying charity, and that amount counts toward your required minimum distribution while staying out of your taxable income. Because it never lands on your tax return as income, the rough tax saved equals the amount excluded times your marginal rate. This can also help keep your income below thresholds that trigger higher Medicare premiums (IRMAA) and more Social Security taxation. You must be at least 70.5 years old and the funds must go directly to the charity, not to you first.
For 2025 the QCD cap is 108,000 per person, and it applies to traditional IRAs rather than 401(k) or active SEP and SIMPLE plans. Donor advised funds and private foundations generally do not qualify as recipients. Because you exclude the income, you cannot also claim a charitable deduction for the same gift, so there is no double benefit. This tool gives estimates only and is not tax advice; confirm details with your custodian and tax professional.
No, you can make a QCD once you reach age 70.5, even though required minimum distributions do not begin until age 73. The QCD still reduces future taxable income.
No, you cannot deduct a gift that was already excluded from income through a QCD. The exclusion is the benefit, so claiming both would be double counting.
Yes, the funds must transfer directly from your IRA custodian to a qualifying charity. If the check is made out to you first, it does not qualify as a QCD.
See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.