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As 2025 comes to a close, our heart is to walk alongside and strengthen our local churches as they carry out God’s mission in their communities. We know that faithful stewardship looks different in each season of life, and we want to share resources that may be helpful to you and your church. One such opportunity allows you to support ministry in a thoughtful, tax-wise way—turning what might otherwise be a required financial step into a meaningful investment in the life and witness of your local church.
Give From Your IRA — Tax-Free
If you are age 70½ or older, you can support the ministry of the church while also reducing your tax burden. Through a provision in the tax code called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), individuals may give directly from their IRA to a qualified nonprofit organization — including churches — without paying income tax on the distribution.
How It Works
Once you reach age 73 (or 75, depending on your birth year), the IRS requires you to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA. Normally, those withdrawals are taxable income.
However, when you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution:
- The gift is sent directly from your IRA custodian to the church
- The amount given counts toward your RMD
- The distribution is excluded from your taxable income
- You support ministry and mission more efficiently.
You may give up to $108,000 per year per individual through QCDs.
Why This Can Be Especially Helpful
Giving from your IRA may:
- Lower your adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Reduce taxes on Social Security benefits
- Help avoid higher Medicare premium brackets
- Allow you to give generously even if you no longer itemize deductions
For many faithful stewards, a QCD is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give.
Important Details to Know
- QCDs apply only to traditional IRAs (not 401(k)s or 403(b)s unless rolled into an IRA)
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The check must be made payable directly to the church
- You cannot receive goods or services in return for the gift
- While the gift is tax-free, it is not also claimed as a charitable deduction
A Faithful Way to Give
If you are already planning to take your required distribution, a Qualified Charitable Distribution allows you to turn a tax obligation into a ministry blessing.
We encourage you to speak with your financial advisor or tax professional to determine whether this giving option is right for you.
If your church doesn't have an account that can handle selling securities or it's own 501(c)3 number, email finance@globalmethodist.org and we can receive your donation on behalf of your local church and then send your church a check from the proceeds.
Thank you for your continued generosity and faithful stewardship in support of God’s work through our church.
Blessings,
Rev. Matthew Conover
Executive Director of Finance
Global Methodist Church
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