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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.

Retirement Article

What To Handle Before Dec. 31 and What Can Wait

A year-end financial checklist sorted by whether you’re employed, retired, or taking required minimum distributions (RMDs). Plus the items that don’t have December deadlines.

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.

FAQs
Tax Planning FAQ

How do tax-managed mutual funds compare to direct indexing?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What is the difference between direct indexing and ETFs for tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Where can I learn about direct indexing for tax-efficient investing?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Do I need an advisor for tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Should I use direct indexing for tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What is direct indexing and how does it enhance tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What is tax-loss harvesting and how does it function?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How does charitable bunching function?

See the answer

Further Learning

Older Couple Talking to Younger Woman
Retirement Article

What Are QLACs and Who Should Consider One?

Here is how qualified longevity annuity contracts (QLACs) work, the current rules, and when one might make sense for your retirement income plan.

Estate Planning Article

Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption: Why Using It Now Could Offer Advantages Over Waiting

For taxable estates, using your lifetime exemption now can shelter future growth from estate tax. See how timing, trusts, and GST planning may shape the outcome.

Women & Wealth Article

What Financial Independence for Women Business Owners Really Means

Women business owners increasingly prioritize flexibility and independence. Learn how liquidity buffers, exit readiness, and coordinated planning can help.

Work & Business Guide

The Tech Founder Preliquidity Planning Timeline: A Five-Year Playbook

A five-year preliquidity planning road map for tech founders covering QSBS stacking, trust structures, state residency, 10b5-1 plans, and diversification.

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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