As a not-for-profit educational organization, Road Scholar depends on the generosity of our supporters to enrich the lives of more than 100,000 older adults every year. Since the new federal tax reforms were signed into law at the end of 2017, we want to share with you some strategies to maximize the value of your charitable contributions to Road Scholar.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

• Donors over 70 1/2 can ask their traditional IRA administrator to transfer up to $100,000 in 2019 and each year thereafter to a qualified not-for-profit like Road Scholar
• Avoid all income taxes on the amount distributed directly as gifts, even if you do not itemize
• Satisfies all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD)
  
  

Gifts of Appreciated Stock and Standard Deductions

• As an alternative to cash, gifting with long term (held more than one year) appreciated securities allows you to avoid capital gains taxes
• When gifting to a 501(c)3 not-for-profit like Road Scholar you may wish to consider a slightly larger gift to realize the tax benefits from itemizing your deductions because you will exceed the standard deduction ($12,000 for singles, $24,000 for married couples filing jointly). This is especially true for high tax states.

Designating Road Scholar as a Beneficiary of Your Retirement Plan

• By naming Road Scholar as a beneficiary for all or part of your qualified retirement plan, your estate will avoid paying income taxes on these assets ultimately benefiting your heirs.
  
  

Bequests

• A bequest from your estate allows you to plan your legacy to the charities of your choice while still protecting yourself from unanticipated events which may require the use of some of your assets today.

Read more information on ways you can support Road Scholar and save on taxes.