OBBBA Tax Changes: The Smart Way to Time Your Charitable Donations

If you’re anything like me, December brings two things: gift-buying chaos and the sudden realization that you’re behind on charitable donations you meant to make months ago. End-of-year giving always seems to pile on top of everything else.

But this year, because of the new tax bill (OBBBA), it’s worth rethinking when you donate.

Under current rules, if you take the standard deduction, you don’t get any extra deduction for charitable giving. But starting in 2026, standard-deduction filers will be eligible for up to a $1,000 charitable deduction (single) or $2,000 (married filing jointly) on top of the standard deduction.

However, if you itemize, OBBBA reduces the amount of charitable giving you’ll be allowed to deduct starting in 2026.

What does this mean for you?

If you take the standard deduction:You may want to delay some charitable contributions until early 2026, when you can actually use the new deduction.

If you itemize:You may want to accelerate charitable giving into late 2025, so you can deduct more of it before the new limits kick in.

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