GoFundMe gifts aren't deductible

Donations to individuals through personal fundraising sites like GoFundMe cannot be deducted on your tax return, even if the cause is sympathetic.

“Donations that a taxpayer makes to individuals aren't deductible.”

Only IRS-recognized charities qualify

Tax deductions apply only to gifts made to IRS-recognized Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. Check the IRS website to verify a charity's status before donating.

New rule for non-itemizers in 2026

Starting with 2026 tax returns, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 in cash charitable donations without itemizing. Joint filers can deduct up to $2,000.

What counts as cash donations

Cash donations include gifts by check, debit card, credit card, payroll deduction, electronic transfer, online payment, or gift card transfers. Gifts to donor-advised funds don't qualify.

Itemizers face new threshold

Starting in 2026, itemizers can only deduct charitable donations that exceed 0.5% of their adjusted gross income. This mirrors the medical expense deduction rule.

QCD limits increase for 2026

People 70 and a half or older can transfer up to $111,000 from a traditional IRA directly to charity in 2026 through a qualified charitable distribution.

One-time gift annuity option

IRA owners can make a one-time QCD of up to $55,000 through a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder unitrust, or charitable remainder annuity trust. This can only be done once.

QCDs don't count as deductions

Qualified charitable distributions are nontaxable and don't reduce your adjusted gross income, but you cannot also claim them as a charitable deduction on Schedule A.

Spot fake charities after disasters

Bogus charities often appear after natural disasters. Always verify a charity's Section 501(c)(3) status using the IRS tax-exempt organization search tool before giving.

“They crop up after big disasters. They want to steal your money and get you to divulge personal and financial information.”