For Estero residents who are at least 70½ years old, charitable giving can accomplish two goals at once: supporting a cherished local or national cause and reducing taxable retirement income. The tool that makes this possible is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution, commonly known as a QCD. Although it is sometimes referred to as a qualified charitable contribution, the formal tax term is “distribution” because the funds move directly from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a qualified charity.