Your Year-End Financial Plan Checklist - Part 7 | Connected Wealth Management

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Your Year-End Financial Plan Checklist - Part 7

Paul Brown | Dec 15, 2025

You’ve most likely heard the quote, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. If you’ve worked hard, enjoyed the fruits of success, and achieved financial security, and you may be drawn to give back- to family and other charitable organizations that support your passions and values. But how can you make sure that your giving has the most impact without disrupting your overall financial plan? Being intentional and strategic with your giving can save you money in taxes, both now and when you’re passing on your estate. Here are a few key areas to consider:

• Maximize tax-efficient charitable gifts

Consider donating appreciated securities instead of cash. This approach may allow you to support your favorite charities and receive a charitable deduction while avoiding capital gains tax.

• Leverage Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you’re age 70½ or older, QCDs from your IRA can satisfy part or all of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while reducing taxable income. Click here to learn more on QCDs from a previous post: https://www.connected-wealth.com/blog/did-you-know-if-youre-your-70s-you-can-give-money-your-favorite-charities-tax-free-directly

• Create your own giving fund

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a personal foundation without the high cost of set-up and maintenance. Bunching gifts to a DAF in a single year allows you to take an immediate tax deduction today while distributing funds to charities over time, creating flexibility and consistency with giving.

• Give strategically to family

Annual exclusion gifts ($19,000 per individual in 2025) and other family gifting strategies can help reduce the size of your taxable estate while supporting loved ones during key life moments.

• Align giving with your estate plan

However you decide to give, review beneficiary designations, trust provisions, and legacy goals to make sure your giving strategy remains coordinated with your broader financial and estate plans.

A little intentional planning can make your giving go further

If you’d like help developing a thoughtful, tax-smart giving plan—supporting the people and causes you care most about, our team can walk through the options and help you create a strategy that aligns with your values and long-term goals. https://www.connected-wealth.com/next-steps

Connected Wealth Management

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Email: paul@connected-wealth.com

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