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Tax Smart Gifts in 2026

Common Ways to make Impactful Planned Gifts in 2026

Some Planned giving vehicles/gifts take effect immediately, allowing donors to see the impact of their generosity while maximizing strategic tax deductions.

Common forms are:

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA
  • QCDs allow individuals age 70½ and older to make tax-free donations directly from an IRA (through your custodian) to a qualified charity, like Amazing Place. Generally, you can make a QCD from any tax-deferred IRA account, such as a traditional IRA, inherited IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and SEP IRA. However, a direct transfer of a QCD from a SIMPLE or SEP IRA can only be done if the account is inactive—meaning you’re no longer contributing to it. That said, the IRS does not allow you to make a charitable contribution from a workplace retirement plan, like a 401(k).
  • QCD limit for 2026: For tax year 2026, you can donate up to $111,000, and you can also use up to $55,000 of a QCD to make a one-time donation to a charitable remainder trust (CRT) or charitable gift annuity (CGA). For married couples, you can each donate up to your individual annual limit.
  • Your gift will count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) if applicable. In 2026, the age at which you are REQUIRED to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) remains at 73. The RMD age will increase again in 2033 to age 75.
  • Contact your plan administrator to make a gift from your IRA directly to Amazing Place. A QCD doesn’t offer a tax deduction, but the QCD amount is excluded from your taxable income (AGI). It delivers maximum value regardless of whether you claim the standard deduction or itemize. In some cases, the tax benefits of a QCD could outweigh the charitable deduction you would have received from donating cash or other assets to an eligible charity.
Stocks, Bonds and Appreciated Assets
  • Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to Amazing Place.
  • Donating securities that have been held for a year or more can possibly eliminate capital gains tax as well as offer additional tax benefits.
  • Regardless of how you deliver a gift of stock, the donor or transferring broker must provide the following information, for audit and acknowledgment purposes.
    1. Donor’s Name and Complete Address
    2. Name and number of securities transferred
Gift from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
  • DAFs can be part of smart charitable giving in retirement.
  • A DAF can help you create tax-wise gifts now and in the future.
  • Many people have DAFs which allow them to donate assets for charitable purposes today – and receive a tax deduction now – even though the actual funds are not granted by the donor to a charity until some point in the future. DAFs can be used to make current gifts and future gifts.
  • Contact your custodian or account holder to initiate a DAF gift to Amazing Place.
  • You can also use your DAF to support gifts in the future. With your DAF donor intent statement, you can ensure your continued support for Amazing Place now and in the future.
Life Insurance
  • A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a gift to charity. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.
  • Receive a charitable income tax deduction.
  • If Amazing Place retains the policy to maturity, you can receive additional tax deductions by making annual gifts so that we can pay the premiums.
  • If Amazing Place cashes in the policy, you will be able to see firsthand how your gift supports our charitable work.
  • If we retain the policy to maturity, or you name us as a beneficiary, once the policy matures, the proceeds of your policy will be paid to Amazing Place so that we can use the proceeds to further our charitable work.
  • To make a gift of life insurance, please contact your life insurance provider or request a beneficiary designation form from the insurer and include Amazing Place as the beneficiary of your policy.
  • You can designate Amazing Place as a partial, full or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy. You will continue to own and can make use of the policy during your lifetime. The policy will be included in your taxable estate when you pass away. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the gift to us.
  • Please inform us of your intentions. (See beneficiary designations)
Real Estate
  • Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to Amazing Place.
  • Avoid paying capital gains tax on the real estate sale and receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the value of the gift.
  • Your real property may be given to Amazing Place by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. You may deed part or all of your real property to Amazing Place. Your gift will generally be based on the property’s fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.

For More Information:

Matt Pohren, MPA

Development Director

mpohren@amazingplacehouston.org

If you are considering making a Tax Smart or Planned/Legacy gift to Amazing Place, please contact us. We want to make sure your goals are understood and documented. We also want to thank you for your generous support.

Houston’s Amazing Place | DBA: Amazing Place | Tax ID 76-0604478