Make a Difference for Generations to Come

Make a Difference for Generations to Come

Ways You Can Give to Make a Difference

Planned Giving

About Bequests

You may be looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most popular and flexible ways that you can support our cause.

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IRA Charitable Rollover

An IRA rollover allows people age 70 1/2 and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.

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Beneficiary Designations

A beneficiary designation gift is a simple and affordable way to make a gift to support our cause. You can designate our organization as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment or bank account or your life insurance policy.

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Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity is a great way you can make a gift to our organization and benefit. You transfer your cash or property to our organization and we promise to make fixed payments to you for life at a rate based on your age.

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Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others. Explore the many benefits of charitable gift planning.

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Gift Options

SeniorServ Volunteer

Find out What to Give and learn about the best assets to make a planned gift. Learn about gifts of cash, securities and property. Learn How to Give and discover gift options that provide tax and income benefits. Discover the best planned gift to meet your goals.

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Saturday May 18, 2024

Washington News

Washington Hotline

Rising Traffic on IRS Website

Even though the 2024 filing season started a week later than normal, the IRS reports that website visits have increased 6% over last year. The IRS credits some of the inquiries to an improved "Where’s My Refund?" tool. There also are numerous other updates to the website that are designed to help taxpayers.

The latest available statistics as of February 16 show a lower number of total returns received and processed and a reduced number of refunds. However, the IRS stated on its website, "Considering the loss of seven days in this comparison, filing season statistics below show a strong start to filing season 2024, with all systems running well."

On February 15, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel testified before the House Ways and Means Committee. He noted, "I am pleased to report the 2024 tax filing season opened on schedule on January 29 and has gone smoothly so far."

By February 9, the IRS reported receipt of over 25 million individual tax returns. Nearly all returns were e-filed. These tax returns included 9.4 million filed by CPAs and other tax preparers and 15.6 million filed by taxpayers using online software.

The IRS issued 7.5 million refunds for a total in excess of $13 billion. The average refund this year has been $1,741.

An ongoing question for CPAs and other tax preparers is whether to wait for Congress to pass legislation. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 passed the House on January 31, but is currently on hold in the Senate. The bill would enhance the child tax credit, the low-income housing tax credit, enhance the research and development expense deduction, restore bonus depreciation and expand tax relief for some victims of designated disasters.

Commissioner Werfel has been adamant that taxpayers should immediately file returns. If Congress passes retroactive legislation, he indicates the IRS will quickly update its computers.

Melanie Lauridsen is a representative of the American Institute of CPAs. She agreed with Commissioner Werfel. Lauridsen stated, "This bill is moving very slowly. There is no guarantee it will pass. When it is all said and done, as Commissioner Werfel said, do not wait. File your returns. Go ahead and move forward. And that is pretty much a blanket statement."

Published February 23, 2024
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