FINANCIAL · CHARITABLE DEDUCTION
Charitable Deduction Calculator
Estimate your federal tax savings from charitable donations — enter your AGI, filing status, cash and property donations, and other itemized deductions to see your tax savings, effective donation cost, and whether itemizing makes sense. 2026 tax rules.
About This Calculator
Find out how much in federal income taxes you could save by donating to charity and itemizing deductions on Schedule A. Enter your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), filing status, cash donations, appreciated property donations, and other itemized deductions to see your total itemized deductions, whether they exceed the 2026 standard deduction, and how much in federal tax you could save. Also shows the "effective cost" of your donation after the tax benefit (e.g. a $10,000 donation that saves $2,200 in taxes costs you $7,800 out of pocket).
How It Works
The calculator applies the 2026 IRS AGI-based limits for charitable deductions (60% of AGI for cash donations to public charities/DAFs; 30% for appreciated property) to find your allowable deduction. It then adds other itemized deductions and compares the total against the 2026 standard deduction for your filing status. The incremental deduction benefit is the amount your itemized total exceeds the standard deduction — only this incremental amount generates additional tax savings (since you would take the standard deduction regardless). Tax savings = incremental benefit × your marginal federal tax rate.
The Formula
Tax Savings = max(0, Itemized − Standard Deduction) × Marginal Rate
- Itemized
- Total allowed charitable deductions + other itemized (mortgage interest, SALT, etc.)
- Standard Deduction
- 2026 standard deduction for your filing status ($16,100 single; $32,200 MFJ)
- Marginal Rate
- Federal tax rate for your income bracket (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why might my tax savings be zero even though I donated?
- If your total itemized deductions (charitable donations + mortgage interest + state/local taxes + etc.) are less than your standard deduction, you'll save more tax by taking the standard deduction — meaning the charitable donation doesn't generate incremental tax savings in that scenario. This is more common since the 2018 tax reform doubled standard deductions. To benefit from charitable deductions, your total itemized deductions must exceed the standard deduction.
- What is the AGI limit on charitable deductions?
- For 2026, you can deduct cash donations to public charities and Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) up to 60% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Donations of appreciated stock or other property are limited to 30% of AGI. Amounts above these limits can generally be carried forward for up to 5 years. Private foundation contributions have lower limits (30% cash / 20% property).
- What counts as a "cash donation"?
- Any donation made by check, credit card, payroll deduction, or electronic transfer to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization (including churches, universities, and Donor-Advised Funds). Keep receipts for all donations; for donations of $250+ you need a written acknowledgment from the charity.
- How does donating appreciated stock work?
- If you donate long-term appreciated stock (or other property) directly to a charity or DAF rather than selling it first, you can deduct the full fair-market value without paying capital-gains tax on the appreciation. For example, donating stock worth $10,000 that you bought for $2,000 means you deduct $10,000 and avoid the $8,000 capital-gains tax. This is one of the most tax-efficient charitable strategies. The 30% AGI limit applies.
- Is state income tax on my donation deductible?
- This calculator models federal income tax only. Most states have their own charitable deduction rules. Some states conform to federal rules (same percentages and limits), while others have different rules or no deduction. Check your state's tax rules separately.