At a glance
- The deduction's value is capped at 35% for donors in the top 37% bracket.
- Advisors who build charitable giving into client plans say the conversation should begin with values, not a December transaction, InvestmentNews reported.
- Qualified charitable distributions sit outside the 0.5% floor, Mercer Advisors says, and the 2026 annual limit is $111,000, according to CPA Practice Advisor.
Itemizers can deduct only gifts above 0.5% of adjusted gross income in 2026. The deduction's value is capped at 35% for donors in the top 37% bracket.
Advisors who build charitable giving into client plans say the conversation should begin with values, not a December transaction, InvestmentNews reported.
Qualified charitable distributions sit outside the 0.5% floor, Mercer Advisors says, and the 2026 annual limit is $111,000, according to CPA Practice Advisor.
Sixty-one percent of clients say they initiate philanthropic discussions with their advisor, while 6% say the advisor does, according to the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative's 2026 report.
Brett Diamond, a managing director with the Park Cities Group at Steward Partners in Dallas, starts with questions that have nothing to do with money, then moves to appreciated securities, DAFs or QCDs. "We don't wait until December to discuss charitable giving," he said.
Clients, not advisors, open the giving conversation
Share of clients saying who initiates philanthropic talks with their advisor, 2026
Show as table
| Item | Share |
|---|---|
| Client initiates | 61% |
| Advisor initiates | 6% |
Reported by the Tax & estate planning desk from InvestmentNews. Published . Corrections