If you are 70 ½ or older, you are eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to a qualified charity. By electing to make a QCD, the distribution of these funds will be reported as a distribution and will count toward the required minimum distribution from the IRA, but will not be included in taxable income.

Tax AlertsSteve MossFebruary 1, 2019itemized deductions, charitable deduction

Bunching of Itemized Deductions

Under the new Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA), the standard deduction available to taxpayers has increased to $24,000 for those who file as Married filing Jointly, $18,000 for Head of Household, and $12,000 for Single or Married Filing Separately. Due to this increase, it is estimated that the number of taxpayers who itemize their deductions will fall from around 30% to less than 10%.