Two calculators and a readiness check
Three simple, client-side tools — nothing you enter here is saved or sent anywhere.
Cash vs. appreciated-asset comparison
Compare the after-tax outcome of donating cash versus donating an appreciated asset of the same current value.
Assumptions this uses
- Assumes the asset has been held more than one year, qualifying for long-term capital gains treatment
- Does not account for your specific income tax bracket or deduction limits based on adjusted gross income
- US figures only; does not model state-level capital gains treatment
- Assumes you itemize deductions — if you take the standard deduction, the deduction portion of this comparison does not apply to you
Limitations: This is a general comparison, not a personalized tax calculation — actual capital gains rates and deduction limits depend on your full financial picture. Use it to understand the mechanic, not as a filing figure.
Runs entirely in your browser.
The deduction is a bonus, not the reason to give — but it's worth getting right
A donation is exactly as generous whether or not it lowers your tax bill. But if you are giving meaningfully every year, it is worth ten minutes to check whether you're structuring it in a way that actually captures the tax benefit you're entitled to — bunching gifts, giving appreciated stock instead of cash, or using a qualified charitable distribution if you're eligible. None of these change how much the charity receives; they change how much it costs you.
Bunching and itemizing threshold check
See how many years of planned giving you'd need to bunch into one tax year to clear your standard deduction.
Assumptions this uses
- Standard deduction amounts change most years — confirm the current figure for your filing status before relying on this
- This tool does not model state tax deduction rules, which can differ from federal treatment
- US figures only
Limitations: This tool checks whether bunching several years of giving would clear your itemizing threshold — it does not replace a full tax return calculation. Read the itemizing guide first if you're not sure this applies to you.
Runs entirely in your browser.
The Tax-Smart Giving Worksheet
A fillable worksheet to check whether you itemize, compare cash vs. appreciated-asset giving, and confirm your recordkeeping before tax season.
Get the free guide →Before a larger gift, checklist
A quick readiness check before a larger gift, a new DAF account, or a QCD — five things worth confirming first.
Assumptions this uses
- This checklist reflects general good practice for tax-aware giving in the United States, not a legal or tax requirement
- Completing every item does not guarantee a specific tax outcome — individual returns vary
Limitations: This is a self-check, not a filing tool — it does not calculate or submit anything on your behalf.
Runs entirely in your browser.
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Want a structured way to give over time instead of one gift at a time?
A donor-advised fund lets you contribute once, potentially take the deduction immediately, and recommend grants out to charities on your own schedule afterward — worth understanding before your next larger gift.
See how it works →