Charitable Planning Checklist for the Rest of the Year
Financial Horizons: Insights for Building Wealth and Securing Your Legacy
Charitable Planning Checklist for the Rest of the Year
By Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC
By August, most taxpayers have already lived through more than half of the tax year.
Income has been earned.
Businesses have generated profits—or losses.
Investments have moved.
Bonuses may be coming.
Retirement distributions may already be scheduled.
Real estate may have been sold.
And charitable contributions may have been made without anyone stopping to ask whether the giving strategy still fits the tax plan.
That makes August an excellent time to review charitable planning.
Not December.
Not tax season.
Now.
The objective is not to find a reason to give money away simply to create a deduction.
Charitable giving should begin with the causes, organizations, and communities that matter to you.
But if you already intend to give, there is significant value in determining:
How much you intend to give;
Which organizations should receive it;
Whether cash is the best asset;
Whether appreciated property should be considered;
Whether several years of giving should be bunched;
Whether 2026 is an unusually high-income year;
Whether the contribution will actually be deductible;
Whether you have prior charitable carryforwards;
Which documentation must be collected;
Whether Form 8283 or an appraisal will be required;
Whether the charitable plan connects with your estate and legacy objectives.
The rules are especially important in 2026.
Beginning this year, taxpayers who itemize generally can deduct qualifying charitable contributions only to the extent they exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income.
For eligible taxpayers who do not itemize, 2026 also introduced a limited deduction for certain qualifying cash contributions, making it even more important to understand how charitable gifts fit into the taxpayer's overall filing position.
The central principle for the rest of the year is simple:
Do not wait for December to discover what charitable planning opportunities you had in August.
Charitable Planning Is More Than a Year-End Donation
A strong charitable strategy involves four separate decisions.
Mission
Who or what do you want your wealth to support?
Amount
How much can you reasonably give without weakening your own financial plan?
Structure
What asset, taxpayer, entity, or charitable vehicle should make the contribution?
Execution
What documentation, valuation, and transfer steps must be completed?
Most problems occur when taxpayers address only the first two.
They know:
“We want to give $10,000.”
But they have not considered:
“Should that $10,000 be cash?”
“Should we contribute appreciated stock?”
“Should the contribution happen this year?”
“Should we combine several years of planned giving?”
“Does our projected income change the strategy?”
That is where planning begins.
1. Define the Charitable Mission
Start with the purpose.
Which causes matter to you?
Examples may include:
Faith organizations;
Veterans;
Education;
Scholarships;
Community development;
Medical research;
Disaster relief;
Food insecurity;
Youth organizations;
Arts;
Animal welfare;
Local nonprofits.
The deduction should never create the mission.
The mission should determine the giving.
Charitable mission checklist
Identify the causes that matter most.
Identify organizations currently supported.
Identify organizations you may support before year-end.
Determine whether giving will be one-time or recurring.
Decide whether family members should participate.
Determine whether the plan includes lifetime giving, legacy giving, or both.
The purpose comes first.
The tax strategy follows.
2. Verify That the Organization Qualifies
Not every nonprofit or fundraising campaign necessarily qualifies for a federal charitable deduction.
The IRS provides its Tax Exempt Organization Search system so taxpayers can research organizations and their tax-exempt and deductibility status.
Before making a meaningful contribution:
Verify the organization's legal name.
Confirm its qualifying status.
Obtain the EIN when appropriate.
Determine whether the contribution is being made to the organization or directly to an individual.
Preserve documentation showing the recipient.
Giving to an individual facing hardship may be generous.
That does not automatically make the payment a deductible charitable contribution.
Separate:
charity
from
personal generosity.
Both can be admirable.
Only one may belong in the charitable deduction analysis.
3. Estimate Your 2026 Adjusted Gross Income
The next step is financial.
Estimate your 2026 income now.
Include relevant items such as:
Wages;
Business income;
Pass-through income;
Bonuses;
Interest;
Dividends;
Capital gains;
Rental income;
Retirement distributions;
Pension income;
Other taxable income.
Why?
Because the new 2026 charitable deduction floor for itemizers is based on AGI.
Beginning in 2026, itemizers generally may deduct charitable contributions only above 0.5% of AGI.
Example
Projected AGI:
$200,000
0.5% floor:
$1,000
Projected AGI:
$600,000
0.5% floor:
$3,000
Projected AGI:
$1,000,000
0.5% floor:
$5,000
This does not mean you should give more merely to clear the threshold.
It means the threshold should be included in the projection.
Income checklist
Estimate current-year AGI.
Identify unusual income.
Identify large capital gains.
Identify business-sale income.
Review expected bonuses.
Compare expected 2026 income with 2027.
Calculate the 0.5% floor if itemizing.
Without an income projection, charitable tax planning becomes guesswork.
4. Determine Whether You Expect to Itemize
The same charitable contribution may affect taxpayers differently depending on whether they:
Itemize deductions; or
Use the standard deduction.
For itemizers, the new 0.5% AGI charitable floor becomes part of the analysis.
For taxpayers who do not itemize, 2026 provides a limited deduction for certain qualifying cash charitable contributions, subject to eligibility and statutory limits.
Therefore ask:
Do we expect to itemize?
What are our projected mortgage-interest deductions?
What state and local tax deductions are expected?
What other itemized deductions exist?
Would charitable bunching change the itemization decision?
Are we likely to use the standard deduction instead?
The question is not simply:
“Is the charitable contribution deductible?”
The better question is:
“How does the contribution interact with our complete tax return?”
5. Review What You Have Already Given
Before planning the rest of the year, reconcile contributions already made.
Many taxpayers underestimate or overestimate annual giving because contributions are scattered across:
Bank accounts;
Credit cards;
Church portals;
Online platforms;
Payroll deductions;
Charity apps;
Checks;
Donated property.
Build the year-to-date total.
Record
Cash contributions.
Checks.
Credit-card giving.
Electronic transfers.
Payroll giving.
Noncash donations.
Appreciated securities.
Donor-advised-fund contributions.
Charity events.
Auction purchases.
Volunteer-related expenses where relevant.
You cannot effectively plan what remains until you know what has already happened.
6. Create a Charitable Giving Ledger
A simple charitable ledger can include:
DateOrganizationCashPropertyFMVAcknowledgmentNotesJan. 10Charity A$500——YesOnlineApr. 4Charity B$1,000——YesCheckJune 15Charity C—Household goods$650YesForm 8283 reviewAug. 1Charity D$2,000——YesCash gift
By November, that ledger becomes extremely useful.
Instead of asking:
“How much did we give?”
you already know.
7. Review Existing Charitable Carryforwards
Some taxpayers have prior-year charitable contributions that could not be fully deducted because applicable percentage limits were exceeded.
The IRS explains that charitable deduction limitations can create carryovers, and prior-year Schedule A guidance notes that such contributions can generally be carried forward for up to five years in many situations.
Before making another large contribution:
Review prior tax returns.
Review charitable carryforward schedules.
Identify the original contribution year.
Determine the remaining carryforward period.
Identify which percentage limitation applies.
Determine whether the carryforward may be used in 2026.
Do not create new deductions blindly while older deductions remain unused.
Charitable carryforwards are part of the tax plan.
8. Compare Cash With Appreciated Assets
Cash is easy.
But it may not always be the most strategic asset.
Suppose you own publicly traded stock worth:
$40,000
with tax basis of:
$8,000.
Unrealized gain:
$32,000
You also intend to give:
$40,000
to charity.
Before writing the check, compare:
Cash contribution
You keep the appreciated investment and reduce cash reserves.
Appreciated-property contribution
Depending on the asset, holding period, organization, deduction limitations, and other requirements, a direct contribution may produce different tax consequences.
Publication 526 explains that the deductible amount and percentage limits depend in part on the type of property donated and the organization receiving it.
Asset-review checklist
Cash available.
Appreciated stock.
Mutual funds.
Real estate.
Business interests.
Other investment assets.
Basis of each asset.
Holding period.
Unrealized gain or loss.
Charity's ability to accept the asset.
The charitable mission may remain the same.
The asset does not have to.
9. Identify Highly Appreciated Tax Lots
Suppose you own three lots of the same stock.
Lot A
Value: $20,000
Basis: $4,000
Lot B
Value: $20,000
Basis: $15,000
Lot C
Value: $20,000
Basis: $19,000
If appreciated-property giving fits the overall strategy, the tax lots may not be equally attractive.
The taxpayer may prefer to contribute shares carrying the greatest embedded appreciation while retaining higher-basis shares.
This requires:
Accurate basis records;
Specific-share identification;
Brokerage coordination;
Enough time for processing.
Do not simply instruct the custodian:
“Send $20,000 of stock.”
Know which shares are being transferred.
10. Review Assets With Unrealized Losses Separately
Appreciated property and depreciated property should not automatically receive the same strategy.
Suppose an investment is worth:
$30,000
but has basis of:
$45,000.
The taxpayer might compare:
Donate property directly
versus
Sell the asset, potentially recognize an allowable capital loss, and donate cash
depending on the circumstances.
The point is not that one strategy is always correct.
The point is:
Know the basis before deciding what to donate.
Fair-market value alone does not tell the entire tax story.
11. Decide Whether Bunching Makes Sense
Review the charitable gifts you expect to make during:
2026;
2027;
2028;
Possibly later years.
Suppose you intend to give:
$15,000 annually for three years.
Total planned giving:
$45,000
Compare:
Annual strategy
$15,000 each year.
Bunched strategy
$45,000 in one selected year.
Because the 0.5% AGI charitable floor applies annually to itemizers beginning in 2026, timing may affect how much of the contributions become deductible.
Bunching checklist
Determine multiyear charitable commitment.
Compare projected income across years.
Compare itemized deductions across years.
Review the 0.5% floor.
Review contribution percentage limits.
Confirm sufficient liquidity.
Consider whether a donor-advised fund could support the strategy.
Do not bunch contributions solely because it sounds sophisticated.
Run the numbers.
12. Evaluate Whether a Donor-Advised Fund Fits
A donor-advised fund may provide a way to make an irrevocable charitable contribution during one tax year while recommending grants to charitable organizations over future periods.
The IRS describes a donor-advised fund as a separately identified charitable account maintained by a sponsoring Section 501(c)(3) organization. Once assets are contributed, the sponsoring organization has legal control over them, although the donor generally retains advisory privileges regarding distributions and investments.
A donor-advised fund may deserve consideration when:
Giving will be bunched.
A high-income year exists.
Appreciated assets are being considered.
The family wants to support charities gradually.
The family wants a more organized philanthropic process.
Multiple family members participate in giving decisions.
But remember:
The contribution is irrevocable.
The assets are no longer personal property.
This should be treated as a real wealth-transfer decision.
13. Review Retirement-Account Charitable Strategies
For older taxpayers, charitable planning may also intersect with retirement accounts.
Depending on age, account type, recipient organization, distribution mechanics, and other requirements, qualified charitable distribution strategies may deserve review.
That analysis can affect:
Retirement distributions;
Adjusted gross income;
Required minimum distributions;
Medicare-related income calculations;
Charitable objectives.
The mechanics matter.
Do not withdraw the money first and assume a later contribution creates the same result.
When retirement accounts are involved, review the strategy before initiating the distribution.
14. Separate Business Giving From Personal Giving
Business owners need another layer of analysis.
A payment from a business may be:
Charitable contribution;
Advertising;
Sponsorship;
Marketing;
Community relations;
Quid pro quo payment;
Pass-through charitable item.
The tax treatment depends partly on the business entity and the actual transaction.
Business review
Which entity is making the payment?
Is the recipient qualified?
Does the business receive advertising?
Does the business receive tickets or other benefits?
Is the payment partially promotional?
Who ultimately receives any charitable deduction?
Does the contribution fit business liquidity?
Do not use the business account merely because that is where the money happens to be.
15. Protect Business Cash Flow
A business owner may have a highly profitable year while still needing significant cash for:
Payroll;
Taxes;
Inventory;
Equipment;
Debt;
Growth;
Working capital;
Insurance;
January operating costs.
Before a large business-funded contribution:
Review cash reserves.
Fund payroll.
Fund payroll taxes.
Reserve estimated taxes.
Review accounts payable.
Review upcoming capital purchases.
Review debt covenants.
Maintain emergency liquidity.
A charitable deduction does not replace the cash transferred.
The contribution should fit the business.
16. Review Charity Events and Sponsorships
Payments at charitable events frequently include both:
A charitable component; and
Something received in return.
The IRS describes this as a quid pro quo contribution when a donor makes a payment partly as a contribution and partly in exchange for goods or services. For certain payments over $75, charitable organizations have disclosure requirements concerning the deductible portion.
Example
Payment:
$2,000
Fair-market value of event benefits:
$500
Potential charitable component:
$1,500
subject to the applicable rules.
Track:
Amount paid.
Benefits received.
Fair-market value.
Charity disclosure.
Business promotional benefit where relevant.
“Charity gala” does not automatically mean the entire payment is deductible.
17. Review Charity Auctions
The same principle applies when purchasing something at a charitable auction.
IRS guidance states that an auction purchaser may potentially claim a charitable deduction for the amount paid above the item's fair-market value if the requirements are satisfied and the purchaser knew the value was lower than the purchase price.
Example
Amount paid:
$3,500
Fair-market value:
$2,500
Potential charitable amount:
$1,000
Keep:
Auction catalog.
Fair-market-value disclosure.
Receipt.
Payment documentation.
Charity acknowledgment.
Do not throw away the event materials.
They may be part of the tax file.
18. Obtain Written Acknowledgments
Documentation problems are among the easiest charitable-planning problems to prevent.
For contributions of $250 or more, written acknowledgment requirements apply. IRS guidance emphasizes retaining appropriate substantiation for charitable contributions.
Before year-end:
Identify every contribution of $250 or more.
Confirm acknowledgment has been received.
Save the document.
Confirm the contribution amount.
Confirm whether goods or services were received.
Do this now.
Do not begin searching inboxes in April.
19. Review Noncash Donations
If you donated:
Clothing;
Furniture;
Electronics;
Equipment;
Art;
Securities;
Business interests;
Other property,
make sure the records exist.
IRS Publication 561 is specifically designed to help donors determine the value of property contributed to qualified organizations.
For noncash property, preserve:
Description.
Quantity.
Condition.
Acquisition information where relevant.
Cost or basis.
Fair-market value.
Valuation method.
Photographs where useful.
Charity receipt.
Do not wait until filing season to remember what was inside six garbage bags donated in March.
20. Determine Whether Form 8283 Is Required
Form 8283 reporting can begin at a relatively low threshold.
The IRS states that individuals, partnerships, and corporations may need Form 8283 when the amount of deductions for noncash gifts exceeds $500, subject to the form's specific rules.
Review
Total claimed noncash contributions.
Similar groups of property.
Applicable section of Form 8283.
Required signatures.
Supporting valuation.
Do not assume one small donation cannot matter.
Several smaller noncash contributions can accumulate.
21. Identify Gifts That May Require Appraisals
For many noncash charitable contributions exceeding $5,000, additional substantiation and appraisal requirements may apply, with important exceptions such as certain publicly traded securities.
Potentially affected gifts may include:
Real estate;
Art;
Collectibles;
Business interests;
Equipment;
Other valuable property.
Start early
Determine whether appraisal is required.
Identify a qualified appraiser.
Confirm timing rules.
Confirm charity acceptance.
Review Form 8283.
Obtain required donee signatures.
Qualified appraisers also have calendars.
December 30 is not a great time to discover you need one.
22. Build a Permanent File for Appreciated Securities
For donated securities, maintain:
Security name.
Number of shares.
Acquisition date.
Tax basis.
Holding period.
Transfer date.
Brokerage confirmation.
Charity acknowledgment.
Fair-market value.
Do not rely on one generic acknowledgment from the charity to tell the entire tax story.
The charity usually does not know your basis.
You do.
Keep it.
23. Review Charitable Giving With Your Investment Strategy
Giving can sometimes solve two objectives simultaneously.
A charitable contribution may:
Support a cause;
Reduce a concentrated position;
Rebalance the portfolio;
Preserve cash;
Reduce exposure to future gain on donated appreciated property.
That makes charitable planning part of the broader wealth-management conversation.
Ask:
If I intend to give anyway, can the contribution also improve the structure of my remaining assets?
That question can reveal planning opportunities.
24. Connect Charitable Giving to Legacy Planning
Charitable planning should not end at December 31.
Ask whether charitable intentions are also reflected in:
Will;
Trust;
Retirement-account beneficiaries;
Life insurance;
Estate plan;
Family philanthropic plan;
Business succession.
Some families want to leave:
100% to heirs;
A specific amount to charity;
A percentage of the estate;
A charitable fund;
A scholarship;
A community legacy.
There is no universal right answer.
But the estate documents should reflect the intended answer.
25. Review Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations can override the intentions expressed elsewhere in the estate plan.
Review:
Retirement accounts;
Life insurance;
Annuities;
Transfer-on-death accounts;
Other beneficiary-designated assets.
If charity is part of the legacy objective, ask whether beneficiary designations should be part of that strategy.
Do not assume the will controls every asset.
It often does not.
26. Involve the Family
Charitable giving can be one of the best opportunities to teach children and grandchildren about money.
A family giving meeting might ask:
What causes matter to us?
Why?
Which organizations have made an impact?
How much should we allocate?
What do we want our family name associated with?
What do we want future generations to continue?
This changes philanthropy from:
a tax deduction
into
a family value.
That is where charitable planning becomes legacy planning.
27. Review State Tax Consequences
State tax treatment may differ from federal treatment.
Review:
State charitable deductions;
State tax credits;
Residency;
Part-year residency;
Multiple-state filings;
State-specific charitable programs.
The taxpayer's resident state can materially affect the complete tax result.
Especially for families who moved during 2026, do not assume federal and state treatment will match automatically.
28. Establish a September Review
By September, many taxpayers have enough information to identify:
Expected income;
Business profitability;
Major gains;
Remaining giving budget;
Appreciated assets.
Use September to ask:
Are we on track with giving goals?
Does bunching make sense?
Which assets should be considered?
Are any appraisals needed?
Are charitable carryforwards available?
September is for identifying opportunities.
29. Establish an October Tax Projection
By October, run the numbers.
Project:
AGI;
Taxable income;
Capital gains;
Itemized deductions;
Charitable contribution floor;
Contribution limitations;
State taxes.
Then compare scenarios.
Scenario A
No additional giving.
Scenario B
Normal planned giving.
Scenario C
Bunched giving.
Scenario D
Appreciated-property giving.
Scenario E
Donor-advised-fund contribution.
Do not judge the strategy solely by tax savings.
Compare:
Charitable impact;
Cash flow;
Tax result;
Portfolio impact;
Complexity.
30. Use November for Decisions
By November, stop brainstorming.
Decide.
Determine:
Contribution amount;
Recipient;
Asset;
Account;
Timing;
Required appraisal;
Transfer procedure.
If securities are involved, begin the transfer.
If real estate is involved, the strategy should probably have started far earlier.
If a donor-advised fund is involved, complete the account and funding process.
November should convert analysis into action.
31. Use December for Execution
December is not the time for major strategy creation.
It is the time to:
Complete planned contributions;
Confirm securities transfers;
Save receipts;
Obtain acknowledgments;
Reconcile the charitable ledger;
Confirm valuations;
Finish documentation.
The ideal December conversation is:
“Let's confirm everything is complete.”
Not:
“What can we still do before midnight?”
32. Review the Strategy After the Gift
After implementation, update:
Cash position;
Investment portfolio;
Tax projection;
Charitable carryforward schedule;
Estate records;
Family giving plan.
A charitable contribution changes the balance sheet.
Planning should reflect the new reality.
33. Do Not Let Tax Savings Determine Generosity
This deserves repetition.
A charitable deduction is not reimbursement.
Suppose a taxpayer makes a:
$25,000 charitable contribution.
The taxpayer does not receive $25,000 back from the government.
A deduction generally reduces taxable income.
Therefore, charitable strategy should begin with:
“We genuinely intend to give $25,000.”
Then ask:
“How can we implement that intention efficiently?”
Never reverse the sequence.
Common Rest-of-Year Charitable Planning Mistakes
Mistake 1: Waiting until December
Time creates options.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the 2026 0.5% AGI floor
Itemizers need to incorporate the new floor into projections.
Mistake 3: Assuming standard-deduction taxpayers have no charitable opportunity
2026 introduced a limited deduction for eligible nonitemizers making qualifying cash contributions.
Mistake 4: Automatically giving cash
Review appreciated assets first.
Mistake 5: Selling appreciated assets before examining charitable options
Once gain is realized, some planning choices may disappear.
Mistake 6: Ignoring existing charitable carryforwards
Prior-year deductions should be reviewed before creating new ones.
Mistake 7: Ignoring business liquidity
A deduction does not pay next month's payroll.
Mistake 8: Missing written acknowledgments
Documentation belongs in the strategy.
Mistake 9: Forgetting Form 8283
Noncash gifts above applicable thresholds require additional reporting.
Mistake 10: Ignoring appraisal requirements
Larger property contributions can require additional substantiation.
Illustrative Rest-of-Year Case Study
Assume Robert and Michelle are married filing jointly.
Projected 2026 AGI:
$600,000
They normally give:
$20,000 per year.
They expect to give another:
$40,000 over 2027 and 2028.
They also own stock worth:
$60,000
with a basis of:
$12,000.
They have already given:
$5,000 cash
during 2026.
Now it is August.
This is exactly when planning should begin.
Step 1: Calculate the 2026 Floor
Projected AGI:
$600,000
0.5%:
$3,000
The charitable floor must be included in their itemized deduction analysis.
Step 2: Review Planned Giving
They intended:
$20,000 in 2026
and another:
$40,000 over the next two years.
Total three-year giving:
$60,000
They have already contributed:
$5,000.
Remaining planned amount:
$55,000
Step 3: Compare Annual Versus Bunched Giving
Annual
Continue with smaller contributions each year.
Bunch
Accelerate more of the planned giving into 2026.
Whether this improves the tax outcome depends on their complete return.
But August gives them time to model it.
Step 4: Review the Appreciated Stock
Fair-market value:
$60,000
Basis:
$12,000
Embedded appreciation:
$48,000
Before contributing cash, they should evaluate whether appreciated securities could appropriately fund some or all of the charitable plan.
They have time to:
Identify tax lots;
Contact charities;
Review limits;
Process brokerage transfers;
Preserve records.
Step 5: Consider a Donor-Advised Fund
If they want to accelerate charitable contributions into 2026 while continuing grants over future years, they may evaluate whether a donor-advised fund fits their objectives.
The sponsoring charity would legally control contributed assets, with the donors retaining advisory privileges subject to the rules of the sponsoring organization.
The decision is irrevocable.
So they have time to understand it before acting.
Step 6: Review Documentation
Before implementation they establish:
Contribution ledger;
Brokerage records;
Acknowledgment folder;
Basis file;
Year-end checklist.
Now tax preparation will eventually confirm the plan.
It will not reconstruct it.
What Changed Because They Started in August?
Nothing about their generosity changed.
They still intend to support charity.
But they now have time to evaluate:
Which year;
Which asset;
Which tax lots;
Which organizations;
Which charitable vehicle;
Which documentation.
That is the difference between:
making a donation
and
building a charitable strategy.
Charitable Planning Checklist for the Rest of 2026
Mission
Identify charitable priorities.
Establish remaining annual giving budget.
Identify intended organizations.
Verify qualifying status.
Discuss family legacy goals.
Income
Estimate 2026 AGI.
Identify unusual income.
Identify capital gains.
Identify business income.
Compare expected 2027 income.
Calculate 0.5% AGI floor if itemizing.
Deduction Position
Determine whether you expect to itemize.
Review nonitemizer charitable deduction eligibility.
Review existing charitable carryforwards.
Review applicable contribution limits.
Review state treatment.
Existing Contributions
Reconcile cash contributions.
Reconcile noncash contributions.
Reconcile charity events.
Reconcile auction purchases.
Identify missing acknowledgments.
Assets
Review cash.
Review appreciated securities.
Review depreciated securities.
Review real estate.
Review business interests.
Review tax basis.
Identify highly appreciated tax lots.
Strategy
Compare cash versus property.
Compare annual versus bunched giving.
Review donor-advised-fund options.
Review retirement-account charitable strategies where appropriate.
Coordinate business and personal giving.
Confirm liquidity.
Documentation
Save receipts.
Obtain $250+ acknowledgments.
Track benefits received at charity events.
Inventory noncash property.
Preserve photographs.
Review Form 8283.
Review appraisal requirements.
Save securities transfer confirmations.
Legacy
Review will.
Review trust.
Review beneficiary designations.
Review family giving goals.
Review business succession.
Coordinate charitable plans with estate strategy.
Execution
September strategy review.
October tax projection.
November final decisions.
Begin asset transfers early.
December completion review.
Confirm documentation before year-end.
AI-Search Quick Answers
What is the 2026 charitable deduction floor?
Beginning in 2026, taxpayers who itemize generally may deduct charitable contributions only to the extent they exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income.
Can nonitemizers receive a charitable deduction in 2026?
Eligible taxpayers who do not itemize may qualify for a limited deduction for certain qualifying cash charitable contributions under the new 2026 rules.
What is charitable bunching?
Bunching means combining multiple years of planned charitable contributions into one contribution year rather than spreading them evenly.
Why might someone donate appreciated stock?
Depending on the property, holding period, recipient, and contribution limitations, appreciated-property giving may produce a different tax result than selling the property first and donating cash. Publication 526 explains the governing charitable deduction rules.
What is a donor-advised fund?
A donor-advised fund is a separately identified account maintained by a sponsoring Section 501(c)(3) organization. The sponsoring organization legally controls contributed assets while donors generally retain advisory privileges concerning grants and investments.
When is Form 8283 required?
Individuals, partnerships, and certain corporations use Form 8283 to report qualifying noncash charitable contributions when applicable; the general reporting threshold for individuals is more than $500 of claimed noncash deductions.
When may an appraisal be required?
For many noncash contributions above $5,000, additional appraisal and Form 8283 substantiation requirements apply, subject to specific exceptions.
How long can charitable contribution carryovers generally last?
In many cases, contributions limited in an earlier year can be carried forward for up to five years, subject to the applicable contribution limitations.
Planning Questions
Before the end of 2026, ask:
How much have we already given?
How much do we still intend to give?
Which organizations are priorities?
Are those organizations qualified?
What is projected AGI?
Will we itemize?
What is our 0.5% AGI floor?
Do we qualify for the nonitemizer deduction?
Do we have charitable carryforwards?
Is 2026 an unusually high-income year?
Will 2027 income be higher or lower?
Should we bunch contributions?
Do we own appreciated stock?
Which tax lots contain the most appreciation?
Do we own depreciated investments?
Should we use cash or property?
Does the charity accept securities?
Should we consider a donor-advised fund?
Do retirement-account charitable strategies apply?
Is business giving classified correctly?
Does the business have sufficient liquidity?
Do we have every $250+ acknowledgment?
Did we receive goods or services at charitable events?
Do we have noncash donation inventories?
Is Form 8283 required?
Is an appraisal required?
Are state tax rules different?
Does the estate plan reflect our charitable intentions?
Have we established a year-end execution deadline?
If December arrived tomorrow, would our charitable strategy already be ready to execute?
If the answer is no, August is exactly when the work should begin.
What to Do Next
Create a one-page 2026 Charitable Strategy Dashboard.
Include:
Giving
Year-to-date contributions;
Remaining planned contributions;
Charitable carryforwards.
Income
Projected AGI;
Expected capital gains;
Expected business income;
0.5% AGI floor.
Assets
Cash;
Appreciated securities;
Basis;
Other property.
Strategy
Annual versus bunched giving;
Cash versus appreciated assets;
Donor-advised fund;
Business versus personal giving.
Documentation
Missing acknowledgments;
Form 8283;
Appraisals;
Valuation records.
Legacy
Estate charitable goals;
Beneficiary designations;
Family philanthropic objectives.
Then schedule three review dates:
September — Strategy
October — Tax projection
November — Execution decisions
By December, the mission should already be clear.
Final Thought
This week we examined charitable planning from several directions.
We looked at why giving should be treated as part of tax planning—not simply generosity.
We examined business-owner giving.
We reviewed family documentation.
We explored bunching and timing.
We discussed the danger of waiting until December.
And we compared two donors giving the same amount with different assets and potentially different tax outcomes.
The conclusion is straightforward.
Charitable giving should begin with values.
But it should not end there.
Once you know what you want your wealth to accomplish, you still control:
The amount;
The asset;
The year;
The recipient;
The timing;
The documentation;
The legacy.
The objective is not to turn generosity into a tax transaction.
It is to prevent poor planning from wasting an opportunity you already intended to create.
So use the rest of 2026 deliberately.
Review your income.
Review your investments.
Review your prior giving.
Review your carryforwards.
Review your records.
Review your estate plan.
And make the decisions before the calendar removes your choices.
Give because the mission matters.
Plan because stewardship matters.
And make sure the wealth you worked so hard to build ultimately accomplishes exactly what you intended it to accomplish.
Book Your Strategy Consultation
Schedule a consultation to review your 2026 charitable giving, appreciated assets, charitable bunching, donor-advised funds, business contributions, noncash gifts, year-end tax strategy, or legacy plan before the year closes.
Booking link:
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/T4UHUjCijCtIB3rwoTDI
Phone: 580-699-1591
Booking your appointment now:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Jose G. Cardenas is a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and the Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in tax planning and financial strategy, Dr. Cardenas helps individuals and business owners legally reduce taxes, strengthen cash flow, and build lasting wealth and legacy. Learn more at www.thecrgroupllc.com
DISCLOSURE
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as personalized legal, tax, or investment advice. Tax laws and regulations change over time and may vary by jurisdiction. You should consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific circumstances before implementing any strategy discussed here. Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, DBA, provides tax advisory services through The C & R Group, LLC. Insurance and investment strategies may be offered through his role as a licensed financial professional affiliated with Experior Financial Group.
