One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Three big picture pointers
by SCF Team | September 1, 2025 | Siouxland Community Foundation Blog, Advisor Resources
That’s the question our team at the Siouxland Community Foundation has been hearing from attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors ever since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) became law on July 4, 2025. It’s an understandable question—not only because the bill is massive, but also because the roller coaster leading up to passage included many provisions that ultimately didn’t make it into the final law.
From a charitable giving perspective, here are three key takeaways to keep in mind as you advise clients in Siouxland:
“I’ll be back.”
The OBBBA extends—or in some cases “makes permanent”—several favorable provisions, including the elevated estate tax exemption. But that doesn’t mean advisors or clients can get comfortable. Tax laws will change again—it’s only a matter of when and how. During this “tax summer,” encourage your clients to revisit their charitable plans. Staying proactive now will help them be prepared when the rules inevitably shift.
“Carpe diem.”
For clients who give to charity, 2025 presents a meaningful window of opportunity. Because the OBBBA increased the standard deduction this year, and because itemized charitable deductions will be subject to both a floor and a cap starting in 2026, now is the time to talk about strategies like “bunching” gifts. A donor-advised fund at the Siouxland Community Foundation is an especially valuable tool, allowing clients to maximize their tax benefits in 2025 while ensuring consistent, ongoing support for the causes they love. (If you missed our recent newsletter where we explained this in detail, let us know—we’ll gladly send you a copy.)
“Fundamentals. Fundamentals. Fundamentals.”
Some strategies never go out of style. Appreciated stock remains one of the most tax-savvy charitable gifts compared to cash, and IRAs continue to be a powerful tool in charitable planning. For example, naming a fund at SCF as the beneficiary of an IRA avoids both estate and income tax, creating a far greater impact than leaving the asset to heirs. And for clients age 70½ or older, the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is still an excellent way to give—allowing up to $108,000 per taxpayer in 2025 to be transferred income-tax free to a qualified charity, including certain types of funds at SCF.
At the Siouxland Community Foundation, we’re honored to be your first call when charitable giving comes up in your client conversations. Thank you for the trust you place in us—we look forward to working alongside you to help your clients achieve their philanthropic and financial goals.
