Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
Also called: QCD, charitable IRA rollover
A QCD sends money directly from an IRA to a charity, counting towards your required minimum distribution while never appearing in your income. That's better than donating and deducting, because a lower AGI also protects credits, deductions and Medicare premiums that phase out with income. It's available from age 70½, is capped annually, and must go straight from custodian to charity to qualify.