Download the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (‘‘CARES Act’’)
Brief Summary
New Gifting Opportunity for Non-Itemizers
If you do not itemize deductions, you may nonetheless take an “above-the-line” deduction for up to $300 in cash gifts you make a gift to a nonprofit organization this year.
Only contributions actually made during 2020 qualify. In other words, any excess cash contributions carried over from prior years are not eligible for this one-time, “above-the-line” deduction.
“Unlimited” Deduction for Cash Gifts
If you do itemize, you may deduct up to the entire amount of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash gifts that you make in 2020, without reference to the 60 percent limitation that would otherwise apply.
If you also make non-cash gifts, which are subject to lower AGI limitations, or if you have carry-forwards from non-cash gifts made in prior years, these will not interfere with your taking the temporary, “unlimited” deduction for cash gifts. These will simply be carried forward to 2021.
The limitation on deductions for cash contributions by corporations has also been temporarily increased, from 10 percent of taxable income to 25 percent.
Relief from Minimum Distribution Requirement
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs and other “defined contribution” retirement plans have been waived for 2020. If you are age 72 or older, this gives you more flexibility in taking distributions. Given the extreme volatility of the markets during the COVID-19 crisis, this respite can give your retirement portfolio another year to recover.
“Charitable IRA” Rules Unchanged
The minimum age for making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRS — the so-called “charitable IRA Rollover” — is still 70-1/2, and the annual limit is still $100,000.
Contact Your Financial Advisor Details.
The CARES Act is not rocket science, but it is a 340-page bill, and we are not qualified to give legal or financial advice. Suggest donors contact their financial or professional advisors if they are considering a sizeable gift.
Related: The SECURE Act
Category: Planned Giving Marketing
