Taxes on IRA distributions CAN be avoided--if you are at least age 70.5 you can have IRA distributions go to a charity (up to a max of $100,000 per year) under the Qualified Charitable Distribution rules. The IRA owner and the charity pay no tax on the distribution. Plus the charitable distribution amount reduces the RMD you would otherwise have to take. This is what my DH and I are doing, we may never have to take a RMD from our substantial IRAs.
Sure, but this benefits the charity, not the account holder.