Make a difference today and save on taxes. It’s possible when you support Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego through your IRA.
A Special Opportunity for Those 70½ Years Old and Older
You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference at the House. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.
Why Consider This Gift?**
- Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making.
- You pay no income taxes on the gift. It generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you don't itemize your deductions.
- Beginning in the year you turn 72, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution.
- It may also help you avoid the Medicare high-income surcharge.
- Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.
- Gifts of $1,000 will qualify you for membership in our Giving Circles.
You can download a sample IRA Charitable Distribution form to send to your IRA administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now? +
No. The legislation requires you to reach age 70½ by the date you make the gift.
I have several retirement accounts—some are pensions and some are IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use? +
Yes. Direct gifts to a qualified charity can be made only from an IRA. Under certain circumstances, however, you may be able to roll assets from a pension, profit sharing, 401(k) or 403(b) plan into an IRA and then make the transfer from the IRA directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. To determine if a rollover to an IRA is available for your plan, speak with your plan administrator.
Can my gift be used as my required minimum distribution? +
Yes, absolutely. Beginning in the year you turn 72, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your RMD.
Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits? +
No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is no more than $100,000 per year. If your IRA is valued at more than $100,000, you can transfer a portion of it to fund a charitable gift.
When do I need to make my gift? +
We must receive your gift by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, please be aware that your check must clear your account by Dec. 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.
I have two charities I want to support. Can I give $100,000 from my IRA to each? +
No. Under the law, you can give a maximum of $100,000 per year. For example, you can give each organization $50,000 this year or any other combination that totals $100,000 or less. Any amount of more than $100,000 in one year must be reported as taxable income.
My spouse and I would like to give more than $100,000. How can we do that? +
If you have a spouse (as defined by the IRS) who is 70½ or older, they can also give any amount up to $100,000 from their IRA.
Can I use the transfer to fund life-income gifts like charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities? +
Unfortunately, the law does not permit using a qualified charitable distribution to establish a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust. However, you can designate some or all of your retirement plan assets to fund a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust after your lifetime. A charitable trust or gift annuity provides lifetime income to your family or other loved ones. When the gift arrangement ends, the balance will support the House.
I’ve already named Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego as the beneficiary of my IRA. What are the benefits if I make a gift now instead of after my lifetime? +
By making a gift this year of any amount up to $100,000 from your IRA, you can see your philanthropic dollars at work. You are jump-starting the legacy you would like to leave and giving yourself the joy of watching your philanthropy take shape. Moreover, you can fulfill any outstanding pledge you may have made by transferring that amount from your IRA as long as it is $100,000 or less for the year.
For Those 59½ Years Old or Older
If you’re at least 59½ years old, you can take a distribution and then make a gift from your IRA without penalty. If you itemize your deductions, you can take a charitable deduction for the amount of your gift.
At Any Age
No matter your age, you can designate Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of your IRA and it will pass to us tax-free after your lifetime. It’s simple, just requiring that you contact your IRA administrator for a change-of-beneficiary form or download a form from your provider’s website.
Tip: It’s critical to let us know of your gift because many popular retirement plan administrators assume no obligation to notify a charity of your designation. The administrator also will not monitor whether your gift designations are followed. We would love to talk to you about your intentions to ensure that they are followed. We would also like to thank you for your generosity.
*The IRA Charitable Rollover was signed into law in 2015, allowing taxpayers age 70½ or older to transfer up to $100,000 annually from their IRA accounts directly to charity without first having to recognize the distribution as income.
**Please consult your personal tax advisor to confirm your individual circumstance.