2025 Year-End Tax Tips with Kevin Cross

A New Opportunity for Children and Grandchildren (Starting in 2026)

Under this provision, eligible children may receive a government-funded seed contribution, and families can contribute up to $5,000 per year. Even more interesting: businesses may be able to contribute up to $2,500 tax-free under the right circumstances—while still receiving a deduction.

What makes this especially notable for generous families is that donor-advised funds may be used to contribute to these accounts, creating new ways to bless the next generation while maintaining a strong commitment to charitable giving. Proper planning and paperwork will be essential, but this is an opportunity many families will want to explore.

Qualified Charitable Distributions: A Missed Opportunity for Many

One of the most underutilized tax strategies Kevin sees involves Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)—and it always surprises me how many people don’t know about them.

If you’re 70½ or older, you can give directly from your IRA to a qualified charity and exclude that distribution from taxable income. Once you reach the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs), this becomes even more powerful. Instead of taking the distribution, paying taxes, and then giving what’s left, you can give directly—often satisfying your RMD without increasing your tax bill.

And this isn’t limited to small amounts. You can give up to $100,000 per year through QCDs. It’s one of the most effective charitable strategies available, especially for retirees who want to give generously while managing their tax burden wisely.

Stewardship with Purpose

Taxes can feel complex, frustrating, or even discouraging—but they don’t have to be. When we view them through the lens of stewardship, they become another opportunity to align our financial decisions with God’s purposes.

As we close out the year, our prayer is that your financial decisions reflect gratitude for what God has provided—and confidence that He will continue to lead you as you steward it well.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I have about $135,000 in my 401(k), and my home is worth around $100,000. Would it be advisable to cash out my 401(k) to pay off my house?
• I was recently told about a fixed-rate annuity offering a 22% bonus immediately. Does that sound like a good opportunity, or is it too good to be true?
• My mother-in-law, who’s still living, deeded my husband five and a half acres out of a 13-acre property. We’re considering selling that portion to his sister and want to understand the tax implications—what tax rate applies, whether there’s an inheritance tax, and how that works.

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• National Christian Foundation (NCF)
• Kevin Cross, CPA
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
• FaithFi App