By Otis Fulton, Guest Writer
You may have heard something recently about changes to charitable giving and taxes, but like most tax topics, it can be hard to tell what actually applies to you.
Here’s the simple version:
You may now be able to deduct charitable donations, even if you don’t itemize your taxes.
That’s new (again). And for many people, it makes giving just a little more rewarding.
What Changed?
Under a recent update to federal tax law, people who take the standard deduction can now claim an additional deduction for charitable gifts made in cash to qualified nonprofits.
That means:
Up to $1,000 for individuals
Up to $2,000 for married couples filing jointly
In the past, you could only deduct donations if you itemized your taxes. For most people, that meant their giving didn’t affect their taxable income at all.
Now, it can.
What Does That Actually Mean?
Let’s make this practical.
If you’re someone who:
Gives to causes you care about (like The Arc of Hanover)
Takes the standard deduction (like most Americans do)
You can now reduce your taxable income by the amount you give, up to the limits above.
That doesn’t mean your taxes go down dollar-for-dollar, but it does mean your generosity can have a small financial benefit at tax time.
A Simple Example
Let’s say you:
Donate $500 during the year
Take the standard deduction
Under the previous rules, that $500 didn’t affect your taxes.
Under the new rule: You can subtract that $500 from your taxable income.
It’s not a huge change, but it’s meaningful. And for many people, it’s a welcome recognition of something they were already doing: giving.
Why This Matters for Our Community
For organizations like The Arc of Hanover, support from individuals makes everything possible.
It’s what helps:
Provide job training opportunities
Build independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Create real pathways into the workforce and community life
Most people don’t give because of a tax benefit. They give because they care. But when policies like this change, they can make it a little easier to say yes.
A Good Time to Pay Attention
If you already give to causes you care about, this is simply something to be aware of when you think about your year-end giving or tax planning.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your donation “counts” at tax time -- now, for many people, it does.
Tax situations can vary, so it’s always a good idea to check with a tax professional or review guidance from the IRS if you have questions about your specific situation.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a tax incentive to be generous. But it’s good to know that now, your generosity may come with an added benefit. And for the people and families served by organizations like The Arc of Hanover, that generosity continues to make a real difference -- every single day.
By the Way
If you're wondering about whether the updated law also includes in-kind donations or volunteer hour donations, you need to know it does not cover those. The change only impacts cash contributions.
If you want to help people in Hanover County with intellectual or developmental disabilities via The Arc of Hanover, donate here.
If you are a disability self-advocate, parent, caregiver or concerned citizen interested in writing a blog post for The Arc of Hanover -- on family relationships or any subject -- please contact Sue Jeantheau, Communications Committee, at sue.jeantheau@thearcofhanover.org.
