If you are 70 ½ or older, you may be able to take advantage of a simple, tax-saving way to support KPCC/LAist!
How It Works
If you are 70 ½ or older, and you have a traditional IRA:
- You can transfer up to $105,000 per year to charitable organizations such as LAist (Southern California Public Radio).
- The IRA charitable contribution counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (your IRA becomes subject to this requirement at age 73).
- The amount you give is not included in your adjusted gross income (AGI), so you will not incur income taxes on this portion of your withdrawal.
Please contact your financial advisor for more information.
Other Qualifications
- Transfers must be made from a traditional IRA by your IRA administrator, payable to Southern California Public Radio. You cannot transfer your IRA distribution to a donor advised fund (DAF).
- You cannot receive any goods or services in exchange for your contribution.
An IRA charitable distribution is legally referred to as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), and you may have heard it referred to as an “IRA rollover.”
Why An IRA Gift?
- For many members, giving an IRA charitable distribution is a smart way to support in-depth news and reporting and help decrease tax expenses.
- Your gift can be put to use right now to fuel more high-quality journalism in SoCal and across the nation, making a difference to you and your community.
- Your IRA charitable distribution can be made every year, so it’s a great way to make your annual gift.
Make Your IRA Charitable Distribution Today!
- Contact your IRA plan administrator or tax advisor to discuss if an IRA gift is right for you or to make your gift today!
- You can contact us at legacy@scpr.org or 626-583-5303. Although we are not tax advisors, we are happy to discuss the benefits of giving through your IRA, answer your questions, or direct you to information to help you make the right gift for you.
- When you’re gift payable ready to make your gift, your withdrawal check must be made payable to Southern California Public Radio.
- Make your contribution to Southern California Public Radio, and address it to: SCPR, Attn: Velincia Ellis, 474 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105. Please ensure there is identifying information included so we can correctly attribute the gift to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Required Minimum Distribution?
A. The IRS defines the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as “the minimum amount you must withdraw from your [IRA] each year”. Your retirement accounts become subject to RMDs the year you reach age 73. For more information please contact your financial advisor or IRA custodian.
Q. How should I direct my gift to KPCC/LAist?
A. LAist 89.3 (formerly KPCC), LAist.com and LAist Studios are part of Southern California Public Radio, a registered 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. The EIN / Federal Tax ID for Southern California Public Radio is: 95-4765734.
Q. I've already named KPCC/LAist (Southern California Public Radio) as the beneficiary of my IRA. Why should I consider giving a charitable distribution this year?
A. By making a gift this year, you can start seeing the impact of your philanthropic investment immediately.
Q. I'm turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now?
A. No. The IRS requires you to reach age 70½ by the date you make the gift.
Q. I have several retirement accounts—some are pensions and some are IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use?
A. Yes. According to the IRS, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can be made only from an IRA. To determine if you are eligible to make a QCD, consult your tax advisor or retirement plan administrator.
Q. Can my gift be used as my required minimum distribution?
A. Yes. If you have not yet withdrawn your annual required minimum distribution, your IRA charitable distribution can satisfy all or part of that requirement. Contact your IRA retirement plan administrator with any questions.
Q. Is there a deadline to make my gift for it to count for the current year?
A. To qualify for any tax savings in the current year, your withdrawal must be postmarked by Dec. 31. Depending on your IRA, it can take a few weeks to process withdrawals, so it is recommended to start the process at least a few weeks before the end of the year to make sure your distribution is withdrawn this year.
Q. Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits?
A. No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is $105,000 or less this year.
Q. What if my spouse and I would both like to give IRA charitable distributions. Can we give more than $105,000?
A. If your spouse is 70½ or older and has an IRA, your spouse can also give up to $105,000 from their IRA.
Q. If I want to mail in my IRA charitable distribution gift, what address should I send it to?
A. Make your contribution to Southern California Public Radio, and address it to: SCPR, Attn: Velincia Ellis, 474 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105. Please ensure there is identifying information included so we can correctly attribute the gift to you.
Have a question not listed here, or want more info? We recommend you consult your tax advisor or read the IRS Retirement Plan FAQs here.