The Smart Giver's Guide to Year-End Tax Benefits: QCDs Explained
How to support Sing Out and READ’s literacy mission while maximizing your tax advantages before December 31If you're 70½ or older and have a traditional IRA, you're sitting on a powerful giving tool that many people overlook—and 2025 may be your best year to use it. It's called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), and it allows you to make a meaningful gift to Sing Out and READ while enjoying significant tax benefits. Even better, it's surprisingly simple to set up.
Here's everything you need to know—and why now is the time to act.
What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your traditional IRA to a qualified charity like Sing Out and READ. The key benefit? The distribution is NOT included in your taxable income. This is different from a standard withdrawal, which would be taxed as ordinary income. With a QCD, you get to support a cause you care about while reducing your tax burden.
Why Consider a QCD This Year?
1. Exclude Up to $108,000 from Your Taxable IncomeFor 2025, you can transfer up to $108,000 per taxpayer directly from your IRA to charity—completely tax-free. If you're married and both have IRAs, the combined limit is up to $216,000.
2. Satisfy Your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)If you're subject to RMDs, a QCD counts toward that requirement. This means you can fulfill your obligation without adding to your taxable income—a significant advantage for many retirees.
3. Take Advantage of 2025 RulesStarting in 2026, itemized charitable deductions will be subject to new floors and caps. That makes 2025 a beautiful year to give if you've been considering a larger contribution.
4. Make a Direct, Measurable ImpactYour QCD goes straight to work helping children in our community become confident, capable readers. Because of gifts like yours, Sing Out and Read has:
Increased third-grade literacy readiness for participating students
Delivered critical reading intervention hours to students who need it most
Expanded access to proven programs that close the reading gap
Your gift isn't just tax-smart—it's life-changing.
How to Make a QCD to Sing Out and READ
Making a QCD is easier than you might think. Here's the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Contact Your IRA CustodianReach out to the financial institution that holds your IRA (like Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc.) and let them know you'd like to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution.
Step 2: Request a Direct TransferProvide your custodian with our information:
Organization Name: Sing Out and Read
EIN: 80-0731246
Mailing Address: 1901 Ulmerton Road, Suite 625-646, Clearwater, FL 33762
Make sure to specify that this is a QCD, not a standard withdrawal.
Step 3: Specify the AmountLet your custodian know how much you'd like to donate. Remember, the maximum is $108,000 per taxpayer for 2025.
Step 4: Notify UsGive us a heads-up that you've arranged the transfer! This helps us:
Thank you very much for your generosity
Ensure your gift is credited correctly to our literacy programs
Provide you with any documentation you need
You can reach us at (813) 793-7604 or email us at: info@singoutandread.org
Important Deadlines & Details
December 31, 2025, is the absolute deadline for your QCD to count toward this tax year. Don't wait until the last minute—custodians may need several business days to process your request.
Quick Eligibility Checklist:✅ You're 70½ or older
✅ You have a traditional IRA
✅ The distribution goes directly to a qualified charity (not to you first)
✅ The transfer is completed by December 31, 2025
Your Gift. Their Future.
Every contribution to Sing Out and READ helps close the literacy gap in our community. We know that when children learn to read with confidence, they're set up for success in school, in their career, and in life.
And when you give through a QCD, you're making that impact in the most tax-efficient way possible.
Thank you for believing in every child's right to read—and for giving in a way that works for you, too.
