Qualified Charitable Distribution

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
A Tax-Efficient Way to Support The Church

If you are 70½ or older, you may be able to make a tax-free gift directly from your IRA to support the ministries of the Diocese of Bridgeport through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This allows you to see the immediate impact of your generosity while potentially reducing your tax liability.

Key Benefits

Tax-Exempt Giving: A QCD allows individuals to transfer up to $111,000 per year (2026 limit) directly from an IRA to a qualified charity. For married couples with separate IRAs, the combined limit is $222,000.
Income Exclusion: Because the funds go directly from your IRA to the Diocese, the distribution is excluded from your taxable income. This is beneficial even for donors who do not itemize deductions.
Satisfy Your RMD: For donors aged 73 or older, a QCD can satisfy all or part of your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): By lowering your AGI, a QCD may help you avoid higher Medicare premium surcharges or the taxation of Social Security benefits.

How to Initiate a QCD Gift

To ensure your gift qualifies under IRS rules, the distribution must be made directly from your IRA trustee to the Diocese.

1. Request a Direct Transfer
Instruct your IRA custodian to issue a check payable to:

Diocese of Bridgeport Bishop’s Appeal
P.O. Box 589 Shelton, CT 06484
EIN: 06-0737923
2. Specify Your Designation
Please ask your provider to include your full name and intended designation (e.g., [Parish Name], [Catholic School], [Catholic Charities], or [Bishop’s Appeal]) in the memo line or accompanying documentation.
3. Notify Our Development Office
IRA custodians often send checks without identifying the donor. To ensure your gift is properly credited and acknowledged for tax purposes, please notify us once you have requested the transfer:

Pamela Rittman
Director of Development and the Bishop’s Appeal
P: 203-416-1479 | [email protected]

Important Requirements to Keep In Mind

Age Requirement: You must have reached age 70½ at the time the distribution is made.
Direct Transfer Rule: The check must be made payable directly to the Diocese of Bridgeport. If the funds are withdrawn and paid to you first, the distribution will be treated as taxable income and will not qualify as a QCD.
Receipt of Benefit: IRS regulations require that you receive no goods or services (such as gala tickets or tuition credit) in exchange for a QCD.
Timing: The transfer must be completed (postmarked or cleared) by December 31 to count for the current tax year.
Eligible Accounts: QCDs are generally available from Traditional, Roth, and Inherited IRAs. They are not available from active SEP or SIMPLE IRAs.

The Diocese of Bridgeport provides this information for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws are subject to change and individual circumstances vary. We strongly encourage you to consult with your qualified tax preparer, financial advisor, or legal counsel before initiating a Qualified Charitable Distribution to ensure it aligns with your overall financial and philanthropic goals.

Development Office
1 Waterview Drive, Suite 103
Shelton, CT 06484
Tel: (203) 416-1470 | Fax: (203) 371-0410

Qualified Charitable Distribution