[xur17]

I've been struggling with this a little bit - my income / spending currently results in me taking the standard deductible, so I'm not able to take advantage of this tax deduction. Therefore, it makes the most sense for me to hold off on donating, and save the money until I'm not taking the standard deduction, and then donate it all at once.

I've been shuffling money off into a separate savings account every month to get into the habit, and then I plan to use the balance of this account once I am in a situation where I am able to take advantage of this tax deduction. I do still donate money out of this account, just not a substantial account.

edit: I went back and read the article now :) - this chart [0] was helpful. If you're at the beginning of your career, this makes the argument for holding off on significant donation even stronger.

[0] https://3d4k2r1b9zry49ki142owdm5-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-...

[cdcarter]

I do a similar thing, but I have a fairly aggressive portfolio on Betterment that I store my eventual philanthropy in. I fund it out of my credit card's cash back, and unexpected extra income. It's very frustrating to not be able to take advantage of tax deductible gifts seemingly just because I don't own a home!

[xur17]

If you donate the investment directly to a non-profit, you will be able to deduct the full value of the investment, and won't have to pay capital gains on it.

Keeping the money in an investment account is a fairly good idea - I should have enough by the end of the year to make this worthwhile.

[reagency]

If you aren't giving enough to overpower the standard deduction, perhaps you aren't giving enough.

[xur17]

Regardless of how much someone is giving, they are still missing out on the tax deduction for the first $6300 (or $12.6k if filing jointly) of income.