Investors older than age 70 1/2 who are taking required minimum distributions from their traditional IRAs can steer a portion of their distributions–up to $100,000–directly to the qualified charity of their choice, thereby satisfying the required minimum distribution (RMD) requirements. The virtue of having your IRA administrator cut a check to the charity–rather than taking the RMD, depositing it in your account, writing the check to charity, and deducting it on your tax return–is that the qualified charitable distribution, unlike an RMD, doesn’t inflate your adjusted gross income. That can help keep you out of a higher tax bracket, qualify you for credits and deductions that you might not be eligible for with a higher adjusted gross income, and reduce the amount of your Social Security income that’s taxable.