Through December 31, 2014, individuals 70 ½ or older are able to make tax-free transfers (up to $100,000) directly from their IRA account to Maranatha. Transferring an IRA distribution to a charity allows you to avoid paying income tax on the amount withdrawn, and these qualified charitable distributions can be used to satisfy IRA required minimum distributions. Qualifying distributions may be made by individuals, age 70 ½ and older, in amounts of up to $100,000.