If you’re 70 ½ or older, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) can be a great way to give directly from an IRA or an Inherited IRA. A QCD allows you to transfer funds from your IRA to a qualifying charity, satisfying your required minimum distribution (RMD) without adding to your taxable income. Since QCDs do not hit your income, you essentially receive the benefit of a charitable deduction even if you do not itemize and the donation does not count for income for purposes of determining your Medicare premiums.
This approach is especially useful for retirees who want to support charities while managing their tax obligations. By using QCDs, you can reduce your taxable income and help your chosen organization, all while fulfilling your RMD requirements.

