Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
What is a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)?
The “IRA charitable rollover” provides an annual exclusion from gross income up to $105,000 for qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from an IRA.
How to establish a charitable fund at Thrivent Charitable with QCDs
Create a fund and send the forms to Thrivent Charitable.- Only non-advised funds may accept QCD gifts. (Non-Advised Designated Funds, Organizational Endowments, Community Impact Funds)
- Thrivent Charitable establishes your fund based on charitable requests made by the donor and sends a confirmation to the donor. Their financial professional also receives a copy.
- The donor must request a QCD from their plan administrator and it must be sent directly to Thrivent Charitable.
- Please notify our team when the distribution request has been made so we can ensure it’s applied correctly.
- We will apply the gift to the fund and send the donor a gift acknowledgement. (The QCD is not tax-deductible, since the donor doesn’t recognize income on the distribution).
What are the tax advantages of a QCD?
- The amount directed to charity is not included in the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI).
- Giving these assets to charity, versus taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) into income, may enable donors to avoid certain disadvantages that can come with a higher AGI, such as higher Medicare premiums, self-employment or Social Security taxes, etc.
- There is no income tax to the donor on the IRA distributions to the charity, and charities pay no income tax on the distributions they receive.
- As QCDs are not subject to percentage limitations on charitable deductions, this an ideal strategy for donors who have maxed out charitable deductions or do not itemize deductions.
What charities are eligible?
QCDs can be made directly to a public charity that is not a supporting organization. Contributions to donor-advised funds and private foundations, except in narrow circumstances, do not qualify for tax-free IRA rollover contributions. Additionally, tax-free transfers or distributions cannot be used to establish a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
What if the donor has already taken RMDs for the year?
The donor may still use the rollover to make gifts up to $105,000 from an IRA without using it to satisfy RMDs.
Benefits to you, the financial professional
Thrivent Charitable will support you with a full range of charitable products and services, and you'll be compensated for your efforts by Thrivent or American Funds.
More on QCDs
- Only IRA distributions qualify – no SEPs, SIMPLE plans, 403(b), 401(k), profit-sharing plans, or pension plans.
- Distributions must be made directly to charity from the plan administrator.
- The IRA owner must be at least 70-1/2 on the date of distribution.
- There's a limit of $105,000 per individual per year.
- Because the distribution is not counted in the donor’s AGI, there is no charitable deduction on federal income tax returns.
- State income tax treatment may vary from federal law.
Additional information
We make the process easy
Our team of charitable gift planners utilizes deep charitable expertise to expand your clients' options and help meet their giving goals. Our collaborative approach will allow you to maintain your current client relationships while we provide the most relevant advice that aligns with your clients' financial priorities.
Thrivent Career FPs: Contact a gift planner
Thrivent Advisor Network (TAN) Advisors: Contact a gift planner
Our team of charitable gift planners utilizes deep charitable expertise to expand your clients' options and help meet their giving goals. Our collaborative approach will allow you to maintain your current client relationships while we provide the most relevant advice that aligns with your clients' financial priorities.