How new 2026 charitable giving rules could affect your taxes

Give to the causes you care about and potentially lower your tax bill in the process.

Published April 2026 

Charitable giving can be a meaningful way to support the causes and communities you care about. As you think ahead to your 2026 donations, it’s important to know about the new federal rules that change how philanthropic gifts can be deducted on your tax bill. 

These updates, which were passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, go into effect for the 2026 tax year and include changes to who is eligible for a charitable deduction, which gifts qualify and how much you can claim. 

As a result, you may want to review your approach and proactively plan out your charitable donations for the upcoming tax year. We can help you navigate these changes and align your charitable goals with your overall financial strategy. 

Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and how you can prepare.

In this article

  

What are the key changes to charitable giving tax rules?

1. New charitable giving deduction for non-itemizers 

In the past, you generally only received a tax benefit for donating if you itemized your deductions. Starting in the 2026 tax year, that is no longer the case. If you take the standard deduction, you can now claim a deduction for charitable contributions — up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly.  

However, there are limitations. The deduction only applies to cash donations made directly to certain qualified charitable organizations, like 501(c)(3) charities. It does not cover non-cash donations (like property), contributions to supporting organizations, donor-advised funds or most private foundations. 

2. Itemizers will now be subject to a new ‘floor’ 

If you choose to itemize your deductions, the math is changing. Under a new tax provision, only charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) will be deductible. Any donations below this floor won’t count as a deduction. 

Here’s how it works: 

    If your AGI is $100,000, the 0.5% floor means you can only deduct charitable contributions that exceed $500 (0.5% of $100,000). 

    If you donate $400, you won’t be able to deduct anything. 

    If you donate $600, only $100 (the amount above the $500 floor) will be deductible. 

3. High earners are subject to a new deductible cap 

Taxpayers in the highest federal income tax bracket (37% tax) now face a cap on charitable deductions. For those in the 37% federal bracket, the tax savings you get from each dollar of itemized deductions (including charitable gifts) is generally capped at 35 cents on the dollar. For example, a $1,000 charitable deduction could reduce your tax by up to $350, instead of $370 under prior rules. 

Advice spotlight

Fine-tune your giving strategy.

Re-examine your approach to giving and ensure you can make the most of the tax benefits available to you. We can help you tailor your giving approach in light of these new tax changes.

  

Tax strategies to consider  

In light of the new charitable giving rules, you may want to consider the following tax strategies: 

1. If you take the standard deduction: Use the new charitable deduction 

With the introduction of new charitable giving rules, taxpayers taking the standard deduction should explore strategies to maximize the benefits of the new charitable deduction as it could lower your tax bill. Planning your giving throughout the year — or timing larger donations toward year’s end — can help you take full advantage of the $1,000 (single filers) or $2,000 (married filing jointly) deduction limit.  

If you prefer to use a donor-advised fund (DAF), which is a charitable giving account that allows you to contribute assets and recommend grants to qualified charities, you may benefit from a blended approach to charitable giving. For example, you could make a smaller cash donation of $1,000 or $2,000 to claim the new charitable deduction, and then direct the remainder of your intended gift to a DAF if that aligns with your preferred giving strategy. 

2. If you itemize: “Bunch” deductions for maximum impact 

For taxpayers who itemize, “bunching” deductions can be a smart strategy to maximize tax benefits. This involves timing your charitable donations and other deductible expenses so they occur within a single tax year, allowing you to exceed the standard deduction threshold and gain a greater tax advantage from itemizing. 

In alternate years, when your deductible expenses are lower, you can simply take the standard deduction and leverage the new charitable deduction for itemizers for any charitable contributions. By strategically grouping your contributions, you can optimize your tax savings while continuing to support the causes that matter to you. 

3. If you are retired: Consider if QCDs are more beneficial  

Retired taxpayers who are 70 ½ years or older should consider how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) can offer significant tax advantages under the new rules. With the AGI floor in place, taking a tax-free QCD from an IRA may be more beneficial than itemizing deductions, as it allows you to support charities while reducing taxable income. This strategy is particularly useful if you’re over age 73, because it can help you manage your required minimum distributions (RMDs). 

In some cases, retirees may benefit from combining strategies — using QCDs alongside the new above-the-line charitable deduction or bunching itemized deductions in certain years to maximize tax savings. Alternating between itemizing and taking the standard deduction, paired with QCDs, can provide a flexible and effective approach to charitable giving. 

Make an impact with your charitable giving 

We can help you explore strategies to help maximize your tax benefits while continuing to support the causes that matter to you. 

 

Questions to discuss with us 

  • How should I adjust my charitable giving in light of these new rules?
  • Does it make more sense to give to causes I care about throughout the year or at the end of the year?
  • Beyond charitable giving, how can I start planning ahead for my 2026 taxes?