October is an excellent month to consider plans for end-of-year charitable gifts. These gifts could include an IRA charitable rollover, a gift of cash or a gift of appreciated land.

1. IRA Charitable Rollover — The IRS refers to the IRA charitable rollover as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). An individual over age 70½ is permitted to make a transfer directly from his or her IRA custodian to a qualified charity. The transfer is not included in taxable income. If the IRA owner is over age 73, the distribution may fulfill part or all of the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD).

Because many individuals have invested their IRAs in stocks, bonds or other securities, it may be necessary to exchange the IRA stock or bond accounts for a money market fund prior to the distribution. Most custodians require a QCD to be paid from a money market account or similar fund.

There are some limits for the IRA charitable rollover. The IRA owner must be at least age 70½ and the maximum transfer for 2024 is $105,000. The transfer must be to a qualified exempt charity and may be for a designated purpose or field of interest fund. However, it may not be to a donor advised fund (DAF) or supporting organization (SO). In addition, the donor may not receive a charity dinner or other event ticket that involves a partial benefit to the donor. The entire QCD must be for a qualified charitable purpose.

2. Gifts of Cash — Individuals who itemize deductions may deduct 2024 gifts of cash up to 60% of their contribution base, which is usually your adjusted gross income (AGI). A couple with $100,000 in income may give and deduct up to $60,000 this year. While the 60% of AGI limit is substantial, some generous individuals give more than this and may carry forward and deduct the excess gift amounts during the next five years.

3. Gifts of Land — With substantial increases in value for real property, many donors will find that a gift of appreciated property is attractive. A gift of appreciated land provides two benefits for the donor. First, the donor may receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the land. Second, the charity is tax-exempt and therefore the donor is able to bypass tax on the capital gain. If the donor purchased development land ten years ago for $50,000 and it is now worth $250,000, the donor would pay capital gains tax on $200,000 if he or she sold the property. However, by giving the land to charity, the donor may receive a deduction for the $250,000 in value and bypass the tax on the $200,000 of potential gain. Because the donor is receiving both the deduction and capital gain bypass benefits, this type of charitable deduction is permitted for up to 30% of a donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI). If the gift value is more than this limit, it may be carried forward for five years. For example, Mary Smith has adjusted gross income of $100,000 this year and makes a gift of appreciated land with fair market value of $80,000. She can deduct $30,000 this year, carry forward $50,000 and deduct that amount over the following five years.

Editor’s Note: Many donors make their largest gifts in November or December. This is a good time to plan and consider options for end-of-year gifts.