2025 Year-End Information

Tax Benefits to Consider before Year-End
The tax rules for charitable giving have changed due to recent legislation. Most of the new limits start in 2026, so 2025 is the last year under the current, more generous system. If you already plan to give — especially through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) — you may get more tax benefit by giving before year-end 2025.*

  • Bigger Tax Benefit This Year
    • Right now, high-income donors can reduce taxes by 37¢ for every $1 given.
    • In 2026, that benefit will drop to 35¢ per dollar.
    • Giving this year keeps your higher deduction value.
  • New “Floor” on Deductions Next Year
    • Starting in 2026, only gifts above 0.5% of your income will count for a deduction.
    • Example: If you earn $200,000, your first $1,000 in giving won’t be deductible. Giving in 2025 avoids this new limit.
  • Large Gifts Still Welcome
    • You can deduct up to 60% of your income for cash gifts to public charities (including DAFs).
    • This rule stays in place — so you can “front-load” future donations into your DAF this year.
  • Future Rules Get More Complicated
    • The new law adds caps and limits on itemized deductions starting in 2026.
    • Tax savings will likely shrink, and paperwork will increase.
    • 2025 is simpler and more favorable for charitable donors.

Bottom Line 
If you’re planning a meaningful gift to your Donor-Advised Fund, making that gift before December 31, 2025 helps you:

  • Lock in the higher 37% deduction.
  • Avoid new limits and floors.
  • Keep your giving strategy simple.

Additional key deadlines and tax information* for 2025 year-end grants, contributions and deductions:

  • TCF offices will be closed on November 27, 28 and December 24, 25, 26.
  • Due to broker/agent response times, we highly recommend that stock transfers to TCF be initiated by December 10.
  • Due to high volume, grants requested after December 12 might not reach the recipient organization before December 31.
  • Cash Wire/ACH transfers must be initiated by December 15, and then are not guaranteed due to additional verification requirements imposed by financial institutions to prevent fraud.
  • Checks delivered to TCF via the U.S. Postal Service must be postmarked on or before December 31.
    Checks may also be hand-delivered to TCF’s office on December 31.
  • By law, checks sent to TCF via carriers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL must be physically received at TCF’s office no later than 5:00 PM, December 31.
  • Credit card transactions may be made through 11:59 PM, December 31 to be considered tax deductible in 2025.
  • IRS rules prohibit IRAs from making charitable contributions to donor advised funds unless the donor’s intent is that the contribution be treated as a taxable distribution. Contributions from IRAs (Qualified Charitable Distributions) may be directed to a donor designated fund to be considered a non-taxable distribution.*

* Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF) does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Helpful Links

To make a grant recommendation, please complete this online form.

To open a new Donor Advised Fund, please complete this online form.

To access TCF’s new donor portal, please contact donorserv@tulsacf.org. 

Download our end of Year Tax Guide here.