By Nefeli Photiou, The Sports Financial Literacy Academy
For professional athletes, charitable giving can be more than just giving back — it can be a smart financial move as well. With high income and public visibility, athletes are in a unique position where philanthropy converges with tax planning. Being familiar with the tax implications of charitable giving is essential so that informed choices can be made and the impact of the athlete’s generosity is optimized.
The Basics: Tax-Deductible Donations
When you donate to a qualified charity, you may be able to deduct that donation from your taxable income. Your donation must be to an IRS-qualified organization in order to be eligible for this deduction. Most churches, schools, hospitals, and known nonprofit organizations fall under these.
To ensure the donation counts for your taxes, you need to keep proper and accurate records. These records protect you in the event that the IRS audits your tax return.
Why Athletes Often Give
Athletes usually contribute to causes that are important to them— whether it’s through setting up foundations, donating to youth sports programs, offering scholarships, or contributing to emergencies. Donating not only contributes to the athlete’s legacy but also presents a picture of social responsibility to fans, sponsors, and the public at large. However, in the absence of direction, the goodwill may result in missed opportunities or tax pitfalls.
Work with Professionals
Charitable giving intersects with complicated tax legislation, estate design, and image management. Athletes always need to have a group of specialists — financial planners, tax professionals, and attorneys — to design a philanthropic strategy that aligns with their moral standards and long-term goals.
They also need to ensure their giving does not inadvertently trigger tax audits or conflict of interest issues, especially if relatives, sponsors, or solo enterprises are involved.
Why Timing Matters
The timing of your charitable contributions may be just as significant as the amount you donate. If you’re having a high-earning year — for example, you’ve signed a new contract, you’ve received a big bonus, or an enormous endorser deal — that’s the best time to contribute more. Why? You earn more, therefore you get taxed more. So, by contributing in a high-income year, you can claim a bigger tax deduction. Some people also use a strategy called “bunching.” Instead of making small contributions every year, they make a big contribution all at once, in one year. This could help them surpass the standard tax deduction limit and get a better tax benefit. It’s a smart way to make your donations count — both for the people you’re helping and for managing your finances.
A Less Complicated Option: Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
Setting up a foundation or charity is a wonderful way to give back, but it’s also a real hassle of rules, paperwork, and yearly responsibilities. If you’d like to do something simpler, a donor-advised fund (DAF) may be the perfect option. Think of a DAF as a kind of giving account. You put your money into the fund today, take the tax relief right away, and then have the opportunity to determine which charities you would like to benefit in the future.
Donor-Advised Funds: A Flexible Giving Option
This setup gives you flexibility. You don’t need to rush into picking a cause or organization. You can even invest the money while it sits in the fund, so it grows over time — which means you can give even more in the future. The DAF sponsor handles all the record-keeping, tax returns, and donation reporting for you, so it’s much simpler than having your own foundation.
DAFs are especially useful if you’re having a high-earning year. You can put money in the fund, reduce your tax burden for that year, and distribute the funds when you’re ready. It’s a simple, no-fuss method to be strategic and charitable at the same time.
When it comes to philanthropic contributions, strategy is just as important as generosity. Strategically done, athletes can support causes they care about, inspire others, and most effectively utilize their financial stature. Understanding the tax effect of giving is an integral component of making generosity result in lasting outcomes.
The Money Smart Athlete® Blog is established and run by the Sports Financial Literacy Academy® (SFLA). Through its education programs, the SFLA has the vision to financially educate and empower athletes of all ages to become better people, not just better athletes. For more information on our courses, our SFLA Approved Trainer Program®, and how they can benefit you and your clients, please get in touch with us at [email protected].