IRA Charitable Rollover

 As a part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, Congress extended the IRA charitable rollover through 2009. If you are 70 1/2 years of age or older and must remove funds from your IRA annually, please consider The IRA Charitable Rollover tax incentive and make a direct contribution to the Defenders. The Rollover allows individuals to donate from their IRAs to public charities without having to count the distributions as taxable income, as long as:

	the gift is made in 2009;
	the IRA holder is age 70½ or older;
	the gift totals $100,000 or less each year (a couple with separate IRAs can each give up to that amount);
	the withdrawal goes directly from the IRA to the charity.

You do not need to itemize your taxes to take advantage of the rollover, but if you do itemize, you cannot also take the contribution as a deduction.

Check with your financial advisor to make sure you can take advantage of this giving opportunity. Click Here for a sample request letter to send to your IRA administrator, and Here for a sample letter to send to the Defenders.