Certain social posts go viral because they’re so relatable, like this one from a mom in North Carolina: 

“My 8-year-old daughter met a girl at summer camp last year named ‘Internet.’ I said no way, that can’t be her name. But my daughter has been adamant. For almost a year, we’ve been having this discussion.

“ANTOINETTE.

“I just found out her name is Antoinette.”

While this little misunderstanding led to a funny story, the stakes for accuracy are often much higher—especially when it comes to your relationships, bank account, or taxes. And tax laws in the US are extremely complex. In fact, you might be surprised to learn:

• The tax code exceeds 74,000 pages.
• Over the past ten years, it has been amended more than 4,000 times.
• Even Albert Einstein couldn’t fully grasp taxes. According to his accountant, he once said, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”

The key is learning to navigate your financial world wisely. Understanding current tax laws can open new opportunities for generosity and multiply your gifts to ministries you care about, like Serge. You just need the right tools. 

Here are some tax-wise giving tools to consider:

• Giving from Your IRA You can donate your required minimum distribution if you’re at least 70 1/2 years old.
• Gifts of Stock When you donate appreciated stock, you can avoid capital gains tax, deduct the fair market value, and make a greater impact.
• Donor Advised Funds When you contribute to your DAF, you are generally eligible for an immediate tax deduction, and your funds grow tax-free.

Other non-cash assets include real estate, private business equity, artwork, collectibles, and cryptocurrency, to name a few. Giving non-cash assets converts the greatest amount of tax into funding. Tax savings are often twice as much as giving a similar amount in cash. 

Which non-cash assets has God entrusted to you? How will you steward those gifts? We’re happy to offer free services to support your calling!

Smart giving tools make it easy to reduce your tax burden and support the charities you care about.

Not sure which tools are right for you? Reach out to us at partner@serge.org and we’ll help you find the giving tools that make the most sense for your taxes.

Can I Give to Serge From My IRA?

Retirees don’t have to itemize to qualify for this charitable tax break.

Giving through IRAs is growing in popularity.

At the age of 70 1/2, you are required to withdraw minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRA. These distributions are taxable income. But you can avoid paying income tax on your RMD by donating it directly to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity like Serge.

If you are 70 1/2 or older and have an IRA but are making charitable gifts from your checkbook, you’re missing a crucial tax advantage! A gift from your IRA is considered a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), which counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the tax year. Under the new tax law, many people’s itemized deductions no longer exceed the higher standard deduction. Giving from your IRA might be your only way to give and save on taxes at the same time. Take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover gifting strategy to support the charities you care about.

If you’re already giving, why not use funds from your IRA that you have to withdraw anyway?

To begin, fill out the form on this page. We’re happy to assist with any questions.

You should consult your tax or financial advisor about your unique situation. Tax rules vary.

For more tax-saving tips OR information on how to include Serge in your will, trust, or estate plan, reach out to Gordon Pfeil at 215-885-1811 ext. 272 or email partner@serge.org.