QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions) in 2009

Time to Get Technical...

The qualified charitable distribution was first effective in 2005 and expired as of 12/31/2007. It has been extended for 2008 and 2009. Originally, it was a way for an IRA owner to take all or part of their required minimum distribution (RMD) as a distribution payable to a qualifying charity. The distribution would not be included in the account owner’s income. It was a great way to move funds that the owner was required to take and pay taxes on to a tax exempt charity and no one had to pay any income tax.

This year, 2009, Congress did away with required minimum distributions. Charitable contributions are also down this year. Both of those situations are due to the current state of the economy. However, the QCD lives on, for this year. It is still a great way for an individual with IRA assets to transfer those funds to a charity without having to pay the income tax on the distribution.

Some of the requirements are that the IRA owner must be 70 ½ at the time of the transfer, it must be a direct transfer to the charity, the QCD is capped at $100,000 per account owner per year, there is no charitable deduction, and the charitable substantiation rules apply. The benefits to the IRA owner are that taxable assets are removed from the estate at no tax cost, the gift to charity does not increase income for the year, and you get the same tax benefit whether or not you itemize deductions.

If you are over 70 ½ and are going to give money to charity anyway this year, give the funds from your IRA. For more information, contact your advisor or contact one of the Ed Slott trained advisors listed on our website.

--By IRA Technical Consultant Beverly DeVeny and Jared Trexler
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