Convenient IRA Gift in 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act waived the requirement to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2020. This closely followed the SECURE Act, which recently changed the age for RMDs from 70½ to 72.
The required minimum distribution (RMD) applies to most retirement plan owners over age 72. Because the 2020 RMD was calculated based on the December 31, 2019 value when the markets were at a high level, Congress decided RMDs should be waived for 2020. The 2020 RMD waiver also applies to inherited IRAs. The RMD for IRA owners over age 72 will resume in 2021.
Fortunately, the IRA charitable rollover is still available for IRA owners over age 70½. While it does not fulfill the 2020 RMD because of the waiver, there are reasons many loyal donors will make IRA charitable rollovers, also known as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) in 2020.
An IRA charitable rollover is a convenient way to make a gift in 2020. Many friends of nonprofits have IRA balances that have recovered from the March downturn. By fall 2020, these IRA balances may be an attractive source for loyal donors to use for charitable gifts. IRA owners may contact their IRA custodians to arrange a transfer directly to a favorite nonprofit.
Each IRA owner over age 70½ may give up to $100,000 per year in QCD gifts. The gifts are made to public charities for the general fund or a designated purpose. They may not be made to a donor advised fund, supporting organization or life income plan.
The QCD is not included in taxable income so there is no charitable deduction. It is simply a convenient way to support a favorite nonprofit. Many donors have made QCD gifts in past years and will choose to make the same IRA gift this year. In a year when the nation needs all of the services of the nonprofit community to help those in need, an IRA charitable rollover gift is an excellent way to help.
The required minimum distribution (RMD) applies to most retirement plan owners over age 72. Because the 2020 RMD was calculated based on the December 31, 2019 value when the markets were at a high level, Congress decided RMDs should be waived for 2020. The 2020 RMD waiver also applies to inherited IRAs. The RMD for IRA owners over age 72 will resume in 2021.
Fortunately, the IRA charitable rollover is still available for IRA owners over age 70½. While it does not fulfill the 2020 RMD because of the waiver, there are reasons many loyal donors will make IRA charitable rollovers, also known as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) in 2020.
An IRA charitable rollover is a convenient way to make a gift in 2020. Many friends of nonprofits have IRA balances that have recovered from the March downturn. By fall 2020, these IRA balances may be an attractive source for loyal donors to use for charitable gifts. IRA owners may contact their IRA custodians to arrange a transfer directly to a favorite nonprofit.
Each IRA owner over age 70½ may give up to $100,000 per year in QCD gifts. The gifts are made to public charities for the general fund or a designated purpose. They may not be made to a donor advised fund, supporting organization or life income plan.
The QCD is not included in taxable income so there is no charitable deduction. It is simply a convenient way to support a favorite nonprofit. Many donors have made QCD gifts in past years and will choose to make the same IRA gift this year. In a year when the nation needs all of the services of the nonprofit community to help those in need, an IRA charitable rollover gift is an excellent way to help.
