New Federal Tax Law Changes: How Your Business, Personal Finances, and Charitable Giving Are Affected
Council for the Homeless (CFTH) recently partnered with Integrated Tax Services, a local Vancouver business, to help the community gain understanding of the new Federal tax laws. On June 11, we welcomed 20 – 30 people to the Resource Room at Firstenburg Community Center for an evening of learning, conversation, and connection. The event, Navigating the New Federal Tax Law Changes & Your Finances, was created to help people make sense of changes in federal tax policy and what those changes might mean for charitable giving, personal finances, and long-term planning.
CFTH Chief Executive Officer Sesany Fennie-Jones opened the evening by thanking community members for joining and recognizing Integrated Tax Services for partnering on the event.
“Providing education and bringing people together are important parts of what we do at Council for the Homeless,” said Sesany. “This gathering is an opportunity to empower our community as we navigate tax law changes together. This evening, you will learn what the new tax laws can mean for nonprofit organizations you support and for your own individual taxes.”
Bringing Decades of Expertise to the Community
The featured speaker for the night was Senior Managing Director of Integrated Tax Services, Ralph Doggett, CFP, EA, who has been guiding individuals and families through financial decisions for more than four decades. Ralph brought both deep expertise and an easygoing, engaging style to the discussion as he broke down complex topics with humor and clarity.
He began by acknowledging just how complicated tax policy has become. With more than 4,000 pages of tax codes, 75,000 ruling pages, and thousands more in regulations, he noted that “keeping up with the changes can be overwhelming.” One of his main takeaways for the audience: “You have to do the planning ahead of time,” especially with new rules taking effect in 2026.
Navigating New Rules for Charitable Giving & Personal Taxes
Ralph walked attendees through several upcoming changes such as the new “hair cut” that removes the first 0.5 percent of itemized charitable deductions, and highlighted simplified options like the $1,000 deduction for individuals and $2,000 for married couples for cash donations for people taking the standard deduction. He also explained opportunities like the one-time $55,000 charitable gift annuity or trust gift funded from an IRA as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), along with new eligibility for federally chartered veterans’ organizations.
Audience members asked thoughtful questions, including how nonprofits should acknowledge QCD gifts. Ralph clarified that thank-you letters should note that funds were transferred directly from the donor’s IRA, and the letters should include the required “no goods or services were provided” language. He encouraged donors to verify a charity’s status at irs.gov before making a gift.
Throughout the evening, Ralph kept the conversation accessible, explaining donor advised funds, the differences between tax credits and deductions, and even sprinkling in lighthearted moments like a tax law joke here and there.
Empowering Neighbors, Preventing Homelessness
The event reflected our commitment to helping community members stay informed on issues that influence financial stability and well-being. While our mission remains centered on preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, offering accessible educational opportunities like this one helps residents feel confident navigating topics that affect individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits alike.
Council for the Homeless extends sincere thanks to Ralph Doggett and Integrated Tax Services for sharing their expertise, and to everyone who joined the discussion. Through community partnerships and shared learning, we continue building a stronger, more connected Vancouver.
Missed the Event? Learn More…
If you missed this event, learn more about the Federal tax changes by visiting Integrated Tax Service’s website and read their article: 2026 Tax Update: What Changed and Why It Matters.
Save the Date for Our Next Community Education Event
Our next community education event takes place on Wednesday, August 26 when we will host a screening of the film “No Place to Grow Old” followed by a panel discussion in partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. Admission is free and registration is required. Reserve your seat today: https://councilforthehomeless.ejoinme.org/NPTGO2026.
Visit https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/community-events/ for more event information.
