Tax Law Changes in 2026: What They Mean for Your Giving
by Jennifer Buonomo, Major Gifts Officer
Recent changes to federal tax law may affect how supporters choose to give to the Breast Cancer Coalition and other nonprofit organizations. Below are a few key updates to be aware of as you plan your support this year.
New charitable deduction for non-itemizers
In 2026, donors who do not itemize deductions can still receive a federal tax benefit for charitable giving.
- Single filers: may deduct up to $1,000 in cash charitable gifts.
- Married couples filing jointly: may deduct up to $2,000 in cash charitable gifts.
This new deduction recognizes “smaller gifts” and makes charitable giving accessible to more people. The deduction applies only to cash gifts and does not include donor-advised fund contributions.
Standard deduction increases
For tax year 2026, the new standard deduction is:
- $16,100 for single taxpayers
- $32,200 for married couples filing jointly
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs
Individuals age 70½ or older can give directly from an IRA to a qualified charity.
- These gifts excluded from taxable income
- They may not count toward required minimum distributions (RMDs)
- The 2026 QCD limit is $111,000 per taxpayer, up from $108,000 in 2025.
Options for donors who itemize
For those who itemize deductions:
- Cash charitable gifts may be deducted up to 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Additional limitations may slightly reduce the value of itemized deductions depending on income level
- For taxpayers in the 37% bracket, the tax benefit equals about 35 cents per $1 deducted
These changes mean that more donors may now receive a tax benefit for charitable giving, even if they don’t itemize deductions. Depending on your situation, options such as gifts of appreciated stock, real estate, or IRA distributions may also provide tax advantages.
As always, we recommend consulting with your tax or financial advisor to determine what approach is best for you.
Your generosity helps ensure that all Breast Cancer Coalition programs and services remain completely free of charge so that no one faces breast or gynecologic cancer alone. Thank you.
