11/26/2025
Reminder that if you do not itemize your deductions (most people do not), you may want to make your year-end charitable donations in January. In 2026 Married Filing Joint filers will be eligible for a $2,000 nonitemizer charitable deduction for cash/check/credit card gifts -- all other statuses will be eligible for $1,000. Since there is no deduction in 2025, if I normally give my church/charity $500 each December, I would only get a $500 deduction for 2026. If I give my December contribution in January, I can deduct $1,000 -- the January donation and the normal December donation.