Home › Blog › Navigating the New Rules: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Charitable Giving
Earlier this month, we explored how to keep your philanthropy aligned with your values, even as the tax landscape shifts. Following our recent webinar on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), we’re pleased to share key highlights of the new law and what it may mean for charitable giving in 2025 and beyond.
As part of our commitment to helping donors give with confidence and impact, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Washington monitors tax and policy changes that may influence charitable planning.
Our thanks to Jared Sands, Estate Planning and Tax Attorney at West and Feinberg, a dedicated financial professional, whose insight and analysis informed this overview.
Below are key takeaways from the new law and potential implications for your charitable planning.
The cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions has jumped from $10,000 to $40,000 starting in 2025, increasing gradually through 2029 before returning to $10,000 in 2030.
This change means more people, especially homeowners, will again itemize their deductions, which can make charitable giving more tax advantageous.
For those tracking income thresholds: The expanded SALT deduction begins to phase out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above $500,000 and disappears entirely at $600,000.
Because more taxpayers will itemize, more will be able to deduct charitable gifts. However, starting in 2026, two new limits come into play:
These provisions may reduce the tax benefit of very large charitable gifts, but will broaden the number of households who can benefit from charitable deductions overall.
Before the new floor and ceiling take effect in 2026, donors may wish to pre-fund charitable commitments—for instance, by “bunching” gifts planned for the next several years to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or other giving vehicle before the end of 2025.
Starting in 2025, even those taking the standard deduction may claim an additional “above-the-line” charitable deduction—up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for couples.
For individuals 70½ or older, direct IRA transfers of up to $108,000 (expected to rise to about $115,000 in 2026) can satisfy required minimum distributions, reduce taxable income, and support charitable causes.
Tax planning note: QCDs can also lower MAGI, potentially preserving eligibility for the increased SALT deduction.
Beginning in 2026, the federal estate and gift tax exemption will rise permanently to $15 million per person (or $30 million per couple).
At the state level:
In addition, the 2025 annual gift tax exclusion of $19,000 per recipient (or $38,000 per married couple) remains the same in 2026.
The OBBBA brings both opportunities and new limits. For many donors, 2025 presents a valuable window to make or accelerate charitable commitments before new deduction thresholds take effect.
We will continue monitoring these developments and sharing guidance to help you make informed, values-driven decisions about giving.
We are deeply grateful to Jared Sands for his leadership and expertise in helping our community better understand these changes.
To learn more about how the OBBBA might affect your giving strategy, contact us. To revisit insights from our recent webinar, watch the recording below.
https://youtu.be/Ly96HP9-iUI?si=EiAppE5feSHz3OjC
If you’d like to explore how a Donor Advised Fund or legacy gift can help you give thoughtfully and effectively under the new rules, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Washington team is here to help.
This summary is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, or financial advice.