Making a qualified charitable distribution

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) may be used as a convenient, tax-free way to make gifts up to $105,000* per year to Best Friends Animal Society or other qualified charitable organizations, while satisfying IRA required minimum distributions.

Those with significant assets in an IRA or those who don't deduct charitable gifts benefit the most from a QCD. Qualified charitable distributions count toward required minimum distributions. 

Your QCD may be used as a convenient, tax-free way to make gifts up to $105,000 per year to Best Friends Animal Society or other qualified charitable organizations, while satisfying IRA required minimum distributions. 

Every gift, no matter how large or small, helps save the lives of homeless pets. When you make a contribution to Best Friends through a QCD, you'll be supporting lifesaving adoption programs, no-kill initiatives, and more. You'll be helping to Save Them All.

Please talk with your tax adviser or other financial professionals to determine whether a QCD could benefit you. 

Here are some key features of a qualified charitable distribution:

• You must be at least 70 ½ years old.  
• You may transfer up to $105,000* per year directly from your traditional or Roth IRA to Best Friends or other qualified charitable organizations.  
• Married couples can gift up to $105,000* per person, per year, from their IRA if each meets the requirements above. Other gift limitations apply; please contact us for details.
• You may not receive any goods or services in return for your gift.
• You may use your QCD to fund a life income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity.
• New legislation effective in 2023 makes it possible to use qualified charitable distributions to fund life-income gifts like charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts.   

* For gifts made in 2024. Maximum gift limits are scheduled to increase in coming years.