adDitional support

Did you know your retirement savings could help provide food, shelter, medical care, and second chances to cats in need while potentially offering valuable tax benefits to you?

If you're 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter.

What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution?

A QCD allows eligible individuals to donate directly from their IRA to a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, such as Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter.

Unlike a traditional IRA withdrawal, an eligible QCD can be excluded from taxable income, allowing you to support a cause you care about while potentially reducing your tax burden.

How Can a QCD Benefit You?

• Potential Tax Savings: Eligible QCDs are excluded from taxable income, even if you take the standard deduction.
• Satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): If you're required to take annual IRA distributions, a QCD can count toward that requirement.
• Potentially Lower Adjusted Gross Income: This may help reduce certain income-related expenses, including Medicare premiums.
• Give With Purpose: Make a meaningful charitable contribution using your retirement savings.

2026 QCD Giving Limits

For 2026, eligible individuals may contribute up to $111,000 annually through Qualified Charitable Distributions.

Married couples who both qualify and maintain separate eligible IRAs may contribute a combined total of up to $222,000.

There is no minimum donation amount required under the QCD rules, and annual limits are adjusted for inflation.

How Does Your Gift Benefit Paws & Whiskers?

Every day, cats and kittens depend on Paws & Whiskers for safety, compassion, and care. Some need basic necessities, while others require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Your charitable gift helps provide:

• Nutritious food, litter, and daily essentials.
• Veterinary care, vaccinations, medications, and lifesaving treatments.
• Safe, comfortable housing and enrichment.
• Specialized care for kittens, senior cats, and cats with medical needs.
• Continued rescue, rehabilitation, and opportunities for loving forever homes.

As we prepare for our future shelter, your generosity also helps us expand our resources, medical capabilities, and ability to care for more cats.

Your generosity today helps create a lifetime of second chances.

How to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution

Making a QCD is generally a simple process.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

You must be at least 70½ years old on the date of your distribution and have an eligible IRA.

Step 2: Contact Your IRA Custodian

Contact the financial institution managing your IRA, such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Vanguard, or your bank.

Request a Qualified Charitable Distribution to Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter.

Step 3: Provide Our Organization Information

Organization: Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter
Nonprofit Status: 501(c)(3)
Mailing Address: 32 Hillwyck Dr., Toledo, OH 43615

Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN): Available upon request using the contact information below.

Director@pawsandwhiskers.org

Step 4: Arrange Your Donation

Instruct your IRA custodian to make the distribution directly to Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter.

Your financial institution may arrange an electronic transfer or issue a check payable directly to the shelter.

Important: Funds withdrawn into your personal bank account and subsequently donated do not qualify as QCDs.

Step 5: Notify Us of Your Gift

Some IRA distributions arrive without complete donor information. Please notify us of your anticipated gift so we can identify your donation and provide a written acknowledgment for your tax records.

Important Year-End Giving Reminder

To qualify for the 2026 tax year, your QCD must be completed by December 31, 2026, under applicable IRS rules.

We encourage donors to contact their IRA custodians well before year-end to allow sufficient processing time.

If you intend to use your QCD toward your Required Minimum Distribution, arrange the gift before completing your annual RMD.

Your financial institution can help confirm processing deadlines and distribution requirements.

Donation Acknowledgment & Tax Records

Paws & Whiskers will provide a written charitable contribution acknowledgment once your gift has been received and identified.

Your acknowledgment will include:

• Our organization's name.
• Your donation amount and date received.
• Confirmation of whether any goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.

Please retain this acknowledgment along with your IRA distribution records for tax purposes.

Your IRA custodian will generally report the distribution on IRS Form 1099-R. You or your tax professional must properly identify the qualifying QCD when preparing your tax return.

A Few Important Things to Know

• You must be at least 70½ to make a QCD, even if you are not yet required to take RMDs.
• QCDs cannot also be claimed as itemized charitable deductions.
• Certain IRA types and distributions may not qualify.
• Tax benefits may be affected by deductible IRA contributions made after age 70½.
• Your financial advisor or tax professional can help determine whether a QCD is right for you.

For additional information, visit www.irs.gov and review Publication 590-B.

Make Your Retirement Savings Part of Their Second Chance

At Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter, we believe every cat deserves compassion, safety, and the opportunity for a loving home.

Whether your gift helps provide a kitten's first vaccinations, critical medical treatment for an injured cat, or a safe place for a senior kitty to rest, your generosity makes a lasting difference.

Interested in Making a Qualified Charitable Distribution?

We would be happy to provide the information needed to complete your charitable gift.

Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter
32 Hillwyck Dr.
Toledo, OH 43615

Email: Director@pawsandwhiskers.org
Phone: (419) 536-1914 — Select the Director prompt
Website: www.pawsandwhiskers.org

Because every life matters. Every gift matters. And every second chance begins with someone who cares.

Disclaimer: Paws & Whiskers Cat Shelter does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Information is provided for educational purposes. Please consult your financial advisor, IRA custodian, or tax professional regarding eligibility and current IRS requirements.