Iowans seeking a way to give more to their favorite charities and less to Uncle Sam have another method available to them in 2011. The federal legislation signed by President Barack Obama to extend the Bush-era tax cuts also includes an extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover through 2011.

“This new legislation provides a tremendous opportunity and another unique way for donors to support their favorite charities,” said Sheila Kinman, director of advancement at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. “By giving through the Community Foundation, donors can save even more with Endow Iowa tax credits, (which provide) a 25 percent Iowa tax credit in addition to normal federal deductions.”

According to a survey of more than 900 charities by the National Committee on Planned Giving, more than $140 million in IRA rollovers have been directed to charities through the IRA rollover since the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The values of those distributions range from $25 to $100,000.

In Iowa, the law has enabled 16 individuals to roll over an IRA through the Community Foundation since 2007, for a total of nearly $300,000 in donations to benefit Iowa charities.

Because the new legislation was enacted so late in the year, a provision in the act gives individuals until Jan. 31, 2011, to complete a rollover for the 2010 tax year.

For more information, contact Ashley Canney Shafer at the Community Foundation, 244-0020 or shafer@desmoinesfoundation.org.