Navigating a New Charitable Landscape
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings sweeping changes to charitable giving laws, introducing new deductions, limits, and opportunities for taxpayers. While provisions such as the above-the-line contribution deduction, permanent extension of the 60% limit for cash gifts to qualified charities, and adjustments to corporate contribution rules may seem straightforward, the full implications run much deeper.
In this webinar, hosted by Shenkman Law, Martin Shenkman, Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Alan S. Gassman, and Robert Keebler explore the charitable changes introduced by OBBBA and share advanced strategies designed to help donors and advisors maximize benefits. From non-grantor trusts to income-shifting techniques, the panel examines how to turn statutory reforms into powerful planning opportunities.
Turning New Rules into Results
OBBBA’s charitable provisions are only the beginning. While the panel reviewed key updates including contribution carryover rules, the excise tax on certain large university endowments, and a tax credit for scholarships, they focused on how to translate these technical changes into practical results.
Non-grantor trusts emerged as a central strategy. By channeling charitable contributions through these trusts, donors can unlock deductions that may otherwise be lost due to higher standard deductions or limitations on itemized deductions. This approach is particularly valuable for high-income individuals and ultra-high net worth families who may no longer receive an income tax benefit from giving under the new rules.
Integrating Philanthropy with Broader Tax Planning
The conversation also explored how charitable giving can be integrated with other tax strategies. Using non-grantor trusts in tandem with charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) can allow for income shifting, deferral of capital gains, and enhanced cash flow for donors, all while fulfilling philanthropic goals. The panel discussed how CRTs can also align with new Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) benefits, creating multi-layered advantages for taxpayers seeking both impact and efficiency.
Positioning Your Plan for the Future
For 2025, the panel encouraged taxpayers to reassess their charitable giving in light of OBBBA’s changes, evaluate whether current structures remain optimal, and explore new trust-based strategies to capture deductions. Advisors should also broaden their planning conversations to address clients who no longer see immediate tax savings from charitable contributions but who can restore those benefits through creative structuring.
Making Charitable Planning Count
Effective charitable planning after OBBBA is about more than compliance; it is about using the law to advance both financial and philanthropic objectives. By understanding the interplay between non-grantor trusts, deduction limitations, and income-shifting opportunities, practitioners can help clients maximize their giving potential and amplify the good they do.
As Martin Shenkman noted, “These changes should prompt a rethinking of how we integrate charitable giving into the broader planning picture. The tools are there; it’s up to us to use them creatively and effectively.”
Watch the full webinar above to discover how OBBBA’s charitable provisions can be transformed into strategic opportunities and learn techniques you can apply now to make the most of these new rules.