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Charitable Giving

Charitable giving and tax-efficient financial planning go hand in hand — especially with the new 2026 tax rules changing how deductions work for most donors. Whether you’re exploring donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), or year-end gifting strategies, Mercer Advisors can help you give generously while staying aligned with your broader financial goals. Browse the articles below for practical, up-to-date guidance on making the most of every gift.

Tax Planning Article

Before You Sell Your Home, Consider This Tax Strategy

Converting your home to a short-term rental before you sell can pair a cost segregation study with the Section 121 exclusion. Here’s how it works.

Women & Wealth Article

How Women Can Design a Legacy That Reflects Their Values

A legacy plan goes beyond transferring assets — it helps transfer your values. Learn how women can design financial legacies that reflect what matters most to them.

Tax Planning Article

How Much Money Do You Need To Work With a Wealth Manager?

Firm minimums vary widely, but a better question may be whether your financial complexity warrants professional coordination.

Tax Planning Article

The New Math of Charitable Giving Tax Deductions

New 2026 charitable giving tax deduction rules changed the math. Learn how the AGI floor, the 35% cap, and DAFs reshape your year-end giving strategy.

Estate Planning Guide

The Family Guide to Estate Planning: Helping To Protect What You’ve Built Across Generations

Explore wills, trusts, beneficiary traps, POAs, estate tax changes, inherited IRAs, gifting, and family conversations in one comprehensive planning guide.

Investment Management Article

What a Stock Split Means for Your Portfolio

Explore how a stock split affects your portfolio and learn comprehensive strategies for managing concentrated positions, tax exposure, and charitable giving.

Tax Planning Article

IRMAA vs. Social Security Tax: What’s the Difference?

Discover the difference between IRMAA and Social Security tax. Learn strategies to help manage your Medicare premiums and optimize your retirement income.

A couple tax planning with their advisor
Tax Planning Article

Tax Filing vs. Tax Planning: Year Round Tax Planning Matters

Tax planning goes beyond filing to help improve future after tax outcomes.

Estate Planning On-Demand Webinar

Give Smart. Gain Impact. Philanthropy Made Practical and Tax-Savvy

Explore how women define purposeful philanthropy, clarify giving values, and use tax-smart strategies to maximize impact during life and beyond.

Women discussing philanthropy
Women & Wealth Article

Strategic Giving: How Women Are Redefining Philanthropy

Women are reshaping philanthropy with intentional, strategic giving that aligns values, financial planning, and long‑term impact.

Maximize Your Giving Impact and Tax Benefits with Donor-Advised Funds Image
Estate Planning Article

Help Maximize Your Giving Impact and Tax Benefits in 2026 with Donor-Advised Funds

Increase your philanthropic power with a donor-advised fund. Learn more about this simple, tax-efficient investment option.

Listen
Financial Planning Podcast

Episode 511 – Donations to Charity and Your Tax Planning

Explore how the new tax landscape affects charitable giving. Learn strategies to maximize your donations and tax benefits with insights from Mercer Advisors.

An older couple talking about qualified charitable distributions
Tax Planning Article

What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

Learn why a QCD is a powerful tax strategy for retirees. Discover rules, limits, and benefits for charitable giving.

FAQs
Tax Planning FAQ

Is a cost segregation study worth the cost for a converted home?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How does this compare with holding the home for a step-up in basis?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How does converting a home to a rental compare with selling it directly?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What’s the difference between the Section 121 exclusion and a 1031 exchange?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How do I report depreciation recapture when selling a converted rental property?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Where do I check whether short-term rentals are allowed at my address?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Where can I find help evaluating a home conversion tax strategy?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Do I have to manage the rental myself?

See the answer

Further Learning

Financial Planning Article

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

A fiduciary financial advisor is legally bound to act in your best interest. Learn what fiduciary duty means, how to verify status, and why fee-based matters.

Investment Management Article

Insights from Our CIO: Diversify Broadly, Both Across and Within Global Asset Classes

The economic science behind why diversifying broadly across and within global asset classes is a core investing principle at Mercer Advisors.

Financial Planning Article

What Comprehensive Financial Planning Can Do for You

Learn what comprehensive financial planning is and how connecting cash flow, taxes, investments, retirement, estate, and insurance can help you reach your goals.

Listen
Retirement Podcast

Episode 527 – Trump Accounts

Bryan Strike joins us to explain Trump Accounts: eligibility, the $1,000 seed, contribution limits, and how they compare to 529 plans for kids’ futures.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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