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Support the Juneau Independent Through Your IRA

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a qualified charitable distribution, sometimes called an IRA charitable rollover, to support the Juneau Independent’s independent, nonpartisan local journalism.

A QCD is a direct distribution from an eligible individual retirement account to a qualified public charity. Because the funds go directly from the IRA custodian to the charity, the distribution generally is not included in the donor’s federal taxable income. For donors who must take a required minimum distribution (RMD), a qualifying QCD may also count toward that year’s RMD. A QCD is not claimed as a separate charitable-income-tax deduction.

The Juneau Independent is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit online newspaper organized to advance education, promote civic engagement, and foster public enlightenment through independent, nonpartisan, high-quality reporting for the public.

Please consult your tax adviser and IRA administrator before making a QCD. This information is educational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Eligibility, reporting, IRA type, timing, and the effect of any IRA contributions made after age 70½ can affect whether a transfer qualifies.

How to Make a QCD

  1. Contact your IRA administrator or financial institution.
    Ask it to make a qualified charitable distribution directly to the Juneau Independent. Do not withdraw the funds personally and then make a personal donation; direct payment from the IRA is essential to QCD treatment.

  2. Make the check payable to the Juneau Independent.
    Please ask your IRA administrator to include your name and contact information with the payment, so we can provide a timely written acknowledgment and confirm the purpose of your gift.

  3. Provide instructions for your gift.
    Unless you specify otherwise, the gift will be used where it is most needed to sustain the Juneau Independent’s reporting and public-service journalism. You may contact the Juneau Independent at editor@juneauindependent.org to discuss a particular charitable purpose before directing the distribution.

  4. Complete the distribution by December 31.
    Your IRA administrator must process the direct charitable distribution in time for it to count for the applicable tax year. Donors should allow adequate time for institution processing and mail delivery.

Important QCD Information

  • You must be 70½ or older on the date of the distribution.

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  • For 2026, an eligible individual may make QCDs of up to $111,000 in the aggregate to one or more qualified charities. The annual amount is adjusted for inflation.

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  • A spouse may have a separate QCD limit when each spouse has an eligible IRA and independently meets the requirements.

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  • A QCD can generally satisfy all or part of an IRA owner’s required minimum distribution for the year, but a QCD in excess of that year’s RMD does not carry forward to a future year’s RMD.

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  • The distribution must be made directly from the IRA to the charity. A distribution paid to you first generally will not qualify as a QCD.

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  • QCDs are not available for gifts that provide the donor with goods, services, tickets, sponsorship benefits, or another more-than-incidental benefit. They also generally may not be made to donor-advised funds, private foundations, or certain supporting organizations.

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  • The Juneau Independent will provide a written acknowledgment stating the amount received and whether any goods or services were provided in exchange. Donors should retain that acknowledgment with their tax records.

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