Maaser Kesafim According to Rabbi Ovadia

Greetings and blessing. Yalkut Yosef, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah, siman 277, briefly discusses some laws of charity. Regarding our matter, there is no absolute obligation to give Maaser Kesafim from one's salary, but many have the custom to give Maaser Kesafim and regard it as a sign of blessing. It is commendable and pleasant for one who wishes to separate a tithe from all his earnings and salary to make a prior commitment before he receives the profit or salary, so that he may use the tithed money for any mitzvah he desires, according to his discretion. If he did not make such an explicit commitment, he should make a conditional release (hatarat nedarim) before three people, stating that he did not declare he separates the tithe without a vow, and after they release him, he will make the aforementioned condition. If one is in financial difficulty and cannot afford to give Maaser Kesafim from all his earnings or salary, he should stipulate in advance that he will give the tithe only after deducting his household expenses. However, one whom Hashem has endowed with wealth should hold firmly to the path of a righteous person and give the entire tithe to the poor and needy, to Torah scholars who toil in Torah study, and to holy yeshivot.