Starting in 2026, you can deduct up to $1k in charitable donations even with the Standard Deduction

Just found out about a new tax law starting in 2026:

Even if you take the Standard Deduction when filing your taxes, you can still deduct up to $1,000 in charitable donations on top of it ($1,000 for singles, $2,000 for married filing jointly), without needing to itemize.

The requirements are that the donation must go to an IRS-qualified charity and must be a cash donation.

Note that this is a tax deduction, not a tax credit. For example, at a 37% federal marginal tax rate, deducting the full $1,000 would save you roughly $370 in federal income tax.

This new rule starts with the 2026 tax year, meaning you'll be able to use it when you file your taxes in 2027.

Keep in mind that non-cash donations to Goodwill don't qualify.