Brecksville United Methodist Church

Qualified Charitable Distribution

A Smart Way to Support Ministry: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you are 70½ or older and hold an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you have access to a powerful giving option that can benefit both your tax strategy and the ministries you love: a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

How a QCD Works

A QCD allows you to transfer funds directly from an eligible IRA to a qualified charitable organization, such as Brecksville United Methodist Church.

Because the distribution goes straight from your IRA custodian to the charity without passing through your bank account, the gift is generally excluded from your taxable income.

Key Rules & Benefits

  • Starting Age: You can begin making QCDs as early as age 70½, even though Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally don’t begin until age 73.
  • Satisfy Your RMD: If you are required to take RMDs, a QCD can count directly toward satisfying all or a portion of your annual requirement.
  • Direct Transfer is Essential: To qualify for tax exclusion, the funds must go directly from your IRA custodian to the church or charity. If you withdraw the money first and then write a check, it will not count as a QCD.

Why Give Through a QCD?

Sometimes generosity isn’t just about how much we give—it’s about finding creative ways to steward what we already have.

Gifts made through QCDs directly support the ongoing mission, worship, and community outreach at Brecksville United Methodist Church, all while offering you favorable tax treatment.

Next Steps

Interested in learning whether a Qualified Charitable Distribution makes sense for your personal financial situation?

  1. Speak with a Professional: Contact your financial advisor, accountant, or tax professional to evaluate your giving strategy.
  2. Contact Your IRA Custodian: Reach out to the financial institution that holds your IRA to request a direct charitable distribution transfer.
  3. Review IRS Guidelines: For complete technical rules and requirements, refer to the IRS Guidance on Qualified Charitable Distributions.

Thank you for your faithful support of the ministry and mission of Brecksville United Methodist Church!