Holiday decorations are starting to arrive in stores, which means it’s once again time to think about year-end giving! Last year some last-minute changes to federal processes and regulations caused a bit of last-minute panic for some of our donors with timing issues – so this year we’re doing a quick look at how the IRS determined gift dates for tax purposes, and how those rules could impact your ability to claim deductions for this calendar year. Whether you mail a check, make a gift online with your credit card, transfer stock or turn your required minimum distribution into a Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA, understanding the timing of your gifts is essential.
 
Here are some of the most common questions to help you make informed decisions and ensure your gifts count for 2026. The most important take away is that timing matters for your charitable gift deduction.
 
FAQ: Year-End Giving and IRS Rules
 
What changed?
Last year the IRS clarified when charitable gifts are considered complete for tax purposes, impacting how donors should plan year-end giving to ensure that contributions qualify for the current tax year and maximize their year-end giving tax deduction.

If I mail a check, is the gift date the same as the date I drop off the envelope or the mail carrier picks it up?
If your check is postmarked by December 31, it counts for that year, regardless of when we received it. But on December 24, 2025, USPS clarified that postmarks are applied at regional processing centers, not local drop-off points. That means that dropping your check into a blue box by the pick-up time does NOT mean that it is postmarked on that date. Depending on how long the process takes to move your check from that blue box to your regional processing center to receive the postmark, your check may not be postmarked on time to be counted in 2026.

How do I make sure my mailed check is postmarked by December 31?
You can:

• purchase postage at the counter at a post office - the Postage Validation Imprint label will show the mailing date.

• ask USPS staff to apply a manual (local) postmark.

• buy a Certificate of Mailing or use Registered/Certified Mail for proof of mailing date.

What if I use a private carrier like FedEx or UPS?
This is an important point - for private carriers, the gift date is when we receive it, not when you send it. If you use a private carrier, but sure to verify that the delivery date will be before December 31.
 
Can I just walk my check to the office?
Yes! Our office is actually pretty quiet around the holidays – we’d love for you to stop by and when you do, the date you hand us your check is the date it is counted as received. (But maybe be sure to call ahead so that you don’t try to stop by when we’re closed for lunch as we do usually have limited staff in the office that time of year.)

How are credit card gifts counted?
For credit card gifts, the gift date is when the charge is processed by your card issuer, not when you submit the donation online. Usually this is pretty quick, but if you are concerned, check with your credit card company.

How are wire transfers or ACH payments dated?
For wire transfers or ACH, the gift date is when funds are credited to our account. Your bank can help you understand their timing.

What about rules for how stock or securities gifts are dated?
For gifts of stock or securities, the gift date is when the transfer is completed by your broker. If you’re making a stock donation, confirm with your broker early to avoid delays.

When are Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs dated?
For WCDs, the gift date is when funds leave your IRA and are payable to the charity, not when you request the distribution. Timing is critical here — confirm with your IRA custodian their process and ask for their recommendation on options (mailing a check, wire transfer, etc) to ensure that the full process completes before year-end. QCDs are a great way to support charities while reducing taxable income – but timing will be key as this type of gift grows in popularity.

Plan Ahead
Whichever path you choose for your gift, timing is critical. If you have questions, we’re here to help!
 
Email: foundation@ccs.spokane.edu
Call: 509-434-5123
 
Thank you for helping us make potential possible!