How much do you save on taxes from a charitable donation?

If you itemize deductions, a donation to a qualifying 501(c)(3) reduces your taxable income, so you save roughly the donation amount times your marginal federal tax rate. A $1,000 gift in the 24% bracket saves about $240, making the net cost $760.

Are charitable donations tax-deductible if you take the standard deduction?

Generally no. The charitable deduction only helps if your total itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction. If you take the standard deduction, an extra gift usually doesn't lower your federal tax.

Charitable donation tax calculator

Estimate the federal income tax you save on a charitable gift, and what the donation actually costs you after the deduction.

Filing status

Annual income (AGI)

Donation amount

Other itemized deductionsSALT, mortgage interest, etc. — leave 0 if unsure

Estimated federal tax saved

Net cost of your gift

$1,000

Your $1,000 gift, after taxes

Tax saved $0Net cost to you $1,000

Why — your deductions vs the standard deduction

Standard deduction$15,000

Your itemized total (incl. this gift)$1,000

Nothing clears the standard-deduction floor yet, so this gift saves no federal tax.

With these numbers you'd take the $15,000 standard deduction, so this gift doesn't lower your federal tax. You'd need itemized deductions (including gifts) above that to benefit — a reason many donors bunch several years of giving into one.

Estimate for the 2025 federal tax year, for cash gifts to a qualifying 501(c)(3). It excludes state taxes and AGI limits and assumes a single marginal rate. Confirm with a tax professional.

How the deduction works

A gift to a qualifying 501(c)(3) public charity is deductible when you itemize. Because the deduction lowers your taxable income, the tax you save is about the gift amount multiplied by your marginal tax rate — the rate on your last dollar of income. Higher earners save more per dollar given.

Before giving, confirm the organization is a legitimate 501(c)(3) and that donations are tax-deductible — you can check any charity and see its financial grade on CharityIndex.