What is the deadline to make a tax-deductible donation this year?

For a gift to count on this year's taxes, it generally needs to be made by December 31. The IRS treats gifts this way:

Checks: a check mailed to the foundation is generally considered given on the date it's mailed, so make sure it's postmarked by December 31. Card, PayPal, Venmo, and GoFundMe: gifts generally count in the year they're charged, so complete them by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and keep your receipt.

Donor-advised funds, employer programs, and stock: these involve a third party with its own processing times. Your DAF deduction happened when you funded the DAF, but if you want the grant to reach Drake and Vivian before year end, recommend it by mid-December. For stock gifts, contact [email protected] early.

This year, year-end giving matters more than ever. The trial is planned for late 2026, and the family is down to the final stretch of funding. Please check with your tax advisor about your own situation. When you're ready, give before December 31.

Sources: IRS Publication 526: Charitable Contributions · IRS: Donor-advised funds