Giving Thanks And Helping Others

Stepping Into Giving Thanks | What To Know About Scams and Taxes Before You Give | 3 Ways to Maximize Your International Charitable Giving Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( November 23, 2023 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] - [Stepping Into Giving Thanks]( Thanksgiving is a popular holiday for many reasons. No gifts to buy and no other expectation than to feast and commune with friends and family. Some people mark the day running in a Turkey Trot, which often gives a portion of proceeds to food drives or other local initiatives. And that is the other part of this holiday that I enjoy: the spirit of giving. Those of us lucky enough to have a warm home and a hot meal today have plenty to be thankful for, and that leads me to thinking about others. Those that are alone or lack the basic necessities don’t have the luxury of taking a day off from need. We can all help. This issue of A Step Ahead is dedicated to charity and the good we can all do when we take action to help others. One of Kilpinger’s tax experts, [Katelyn Washington](, will help you donate the right way to maximize the benefit for you and the charity. There is also information to help you donate internationally, because need doesn’t know borders. Lastly, I wanted to help you not only get the best tax treatment for your donations, but also to think about how to be more charitable all year round. -Donna LeValley, personal finance writer [Want To Earn 5.46% APY on This 6-month CD?]( This product is available exclusively through Western Alliance Bank's partnership with Raisin. Raisin is a free platform where you can find, fund, and manage the nation's best savings products. Raisin has helped savers worldwide earn over $1 Billion in interest. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] TOP STORY [] [What To Know About Scams and Taxes Before You Give]( [What To Know About Scams and Taxes Before You Give]( (Getty Images) Our tax team offers some great advice on how to donate safely and avoid opportunistic scammers that use your charitable spirit to fleece your bank account. I donate regularly to a small group of charities and I regularly check their finances. I want to make sure that most of my donation is used to fund their charitable activities and not conferences and gala dinners. [You can use these tips to make sure your donation goes to an organization that uses it responsibly](. [] INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES [] [3 Ways to Maximize Your International Charitable Giving]( [3 Ways to Maximize Your International Charitable Giving]( (Getty Images) I don’t need to run down the list of disasters and conflicts that have punctuated 2023. I would prefer to get into how we can help those impacted by the turbulence. I think we all need more help donating internationally. Being a remote donor comes with the challenge of ensuring your donation is being used properly from a distance. [C]([FA Peter J. Klein can help you focus your charitable efforts and help make strategic and impactful donations](. [Investing should always be this easy]( We monitor your investment portfolios, automate rebalancing, and reinvest your dividends. Get started in minutes. Investing involves risk. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement] [] FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR CHARITABLE GIVING [] [Maximize Charitable Giving Tax Savings and Give All Year]( [Maximize Charitable Giving Tax Savings and Give All Year]( (Getty Images) I’m inclined to give more when I think about those that will be without. It is no surprise that 30% of all donations are made in December. This is laudable and greatly appreciated by those being served. But — is it the best way to give? CPA Mark Froehlich points out that being strategic and thoughtful in how one gives, coupled with lowering your tax bill, means more can go to charity. [Read on and learn to increase your charitable giving and satisfy your philanthropic impulses while making sound financial decisions](. [Top 5 Financial Do-Overs According to Retirees]( A recent retirement planning survey shows what gaps people are leaving, what they're getting right and where you may stack up in your plans for retirement. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] ALSO ON KIPLINGER [] - [Are banks open]( on Black Friday? - $725M Facebook settlement: [500K claims rejected]( - Black Friday [store hours still early]( at some retailers - Hulu Black Friday deal: [$0.99/month for the first year]( ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. 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