I get a lot of questions from people over age 701/2about giving their required minimum distribution to charity. The following answers can help you make plans to donate your RMD before the year-end deadline:

Q: Can I give my RMD to charity now, or do I have to wait until December?

A: You can give your RMD to charity any time during the year. In the past, Congress often waited until December to approve charitable transfers, leaving IRA holders scrambling to give the money to charity before the Dec. 31 RMD deadline. But last December, Congress passed a law that permanently extends the Qualified Charitable Distribution provision.

Q: How much can I transfer from my IRA to charity? Can I transfer more than my RMD?

A: Yes, if you are 701/2or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 to charity tax-free each year — even if that's more than your RMD. The money counts as your required minimum distribution but isn't included in your adjusted gross income.

Q: I'll be 701/2 in a few months. Can I give my RMD to charity now?

A: Even though you can take your RMD any time during the year you turn age 701/2 (or until April 1 of the year after you turn 701/2), you have to wait until you actually turn age 701/2 to make the tax-free transfer to charity.

Q: Can I give my 401(k) RMD to charity?

A: No. You can only make the tax-free transfer from an IRA.

Q: Can I withdraw the money from my IRA and then write a check to charity, or do I need to transfer the money directly?

A: You need to transfer the money directly from the IRA to the charity for it to count as a tax-free transfer. Ask your IRA administrator and the charity about making a direct transfer, or you can have the IRA administrator send a check from your account to the charity. If you have check-writing privileges for your IRA, you can write a check to the charity. Give the charity a heads-up, so it knows the contribution came from you and can send you an acknowledgment.

Q: Which is better: the tax-free transfer or a charitable deduction?

A: The tax-free transfer could give you extra benefits. You don't need to itemize your deductions to get a tax benefit from the gift (and many people who no longer have a mortgage don't itemize their deductions). Making the tax-free transfer also keeps the money out of your adjusted gross income. That could help you avoid the Medicare high-income surcharge. Keeping the money out of your AGI could also make less of your Social Security benefits taxable.

Kimberly Lankford is a contributing editor to Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. And for more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.