Liz Weston: Can we get another go at how to donate IRA funds to qualifying charities?

Dear Liz: Please have another go with respect to answering a recent question about making qualified charitable distributions from an IRA using a debit card, which is something we have also wondered about.

Several of the large mutual fund companies tell their customers that checks from their IRA account going to qualifying charities will qualify as QCDs, whether the checks are written by the company to the charity or by the individual to the charity. Hence, it would seem to be functionally equivalent whether one writes a check or uses a debit card.

But your answer to the reader’s question seems to suggest something else.

Answer: You’re right that my answer fell short in explaining the problem.

The original letter writer wanted to be able to use a debit card to make qualified charitabl