‘Tis the season for tax planning — and considering charitable giving! In this episode, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, dive into how charitable contributions could impact your taxes in a positive way. As year-end approaches, they explain who might benefit from giving before December 31, how deductions work with the 2025 standard deduction, and what’s changing in 2026. From donor-advised funds to donating appreciated stocks instead of cash, the duo breaks down smart ways to give — without missing out on valuable tax savings.

You’ll learn

  • Whether charitable giving might make sense for your tax situation
  • The difference between gifting cash versus appreciated assets
  • How donor-advised funds work when you want to give … but aren’t sure where you want to give to yet
  • Tax law changes beginning 2026, like the new above-the-line deduction and AGI floor
  • Ideas for maximizing deductions in a high-income year

Takeaways

  1. If you expect a high-income year in 2025, consider bunching charitable donations before the AGI floor arrives in 2026.
  2. A donor-advised fund lets you claim your deduction now — and select the charitable recipient later.
  3. Donating appreciated stock can help you avoid capital gains while still supporting causes you care about.

Bonus!

Here’s Jason’s favorite green bean casserole recipe! And don’t forget about the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool for verifying that your donations are tax-deductible.

Have a charitable giving or tax question for the show?

Email and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscriptions required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Disclosures

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2025 FPFoCo