Judy Woodruff:

One of the most significant changes in the tax overhaul is a doubling of the standard deduction. That's what most people can take without itemizing deductible expenses. The final bill increases that maximum standard amount next year to $12,000 for an individual, $24,000 for couples.

Charities are already expressing worry that fewer people will itemize, and, without the tax break, that that will reduce incentives for giving. One estimate found that the number of Americans who itemize could drop from 46 million to fewer than 20 million.

Stacy Palmer is the editor of "The Chronicle of Philanthropy," and she joins me now.

Stacy Palmer, welcome to the NewsHour.

So, remind us, first of all, how does the current tax law operate now when it comes to charitable giving?