Direct from the IRS, the best way to set up your charitable donations. If you or your business has specific questions or situations, please contact us here at GLM.
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers looking to maximize their tax savings before the end of the year to consider charitable giving. Many taxpayers may already be planning on doing so for #GivingTuesday on Nov. 28. Giving money or goods to a tax-exempt charity before Dec. 31 can usually be deducted on that year’s federal income tax return. Taxpayers are urged to consider the following before donating:
Only Donations to Eligible Organizations are Tax-Deductible.
The IRS Select Check tool on IRS.gov is a searchable online database that lists most eligible charitable organizations. Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even if they are not listed in this database.
Itemize to Claim Charitable Donations
Charitable deductions are not available to individuals who choose the standard deduction. Only taxpayers who itemize using Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deductions for charitable contributions. Tax preparation software usually alerts taxpayers to the tax savings options available if itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction. The IRS.gov website can help you answer the question, “Should I itemize?”
Get Proof of Monetary Donations
A bank record or a written statement from the charity is needed to prove the amount and date of any donation of money. Money donations can include various forms apart from cash such as check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and payroll deduction. Taxpayers using payroll deductions should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other proof showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.
Donating Property
For donations of clothing and other household items the deduction amount is normally limited to the item’s fair market value. Clothing and household items must be in good or better condition to be tax-deductible. A clothing or household item for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with their tax return.
Donors must get a written acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more. It must include, among other things, a description of the items contributed. Special rules apply to cars, boats and other types of property donations.
Note Any Benefit in Return
Donors who get something in return for their donation may have to reduce their deduction. Benefits can include merchandise, meals, tickets to an event or other goods and services. A donation acknowledgment must state whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift along with a description and estimated value of those goods or services.
Good Records
The type of records a taxpayer needs to keep depends on the amount and type of the donation. An additional reporting form is required for many property donations and an appraisal is often required for larger donations of property. Visit IRS.gov for more information.
The above is directly quoted from the IRS newsletter sent Tuesday November 21, 2017 Issue Number IR-2017-191. It is direct information from the IRS as the best way to set up your charitable donations. Again, if you or your business has specific questions or situations, please contact us here at GLM.
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers looking to maximize their tax savings before the end of the year to consider charitable giving. Many taxpayers may already be planning on doing so for #GivingTuesday on Nov. 28. Giving money or goods to a tax-exempt charity before Dec. 31 can usually be deducted on that year’s federal income tax return. Taxpayers are urged to consider the following before donating:
Only Donations to Eligible Organizations are Tax-Deductible.
The IRS Select Check tool on IRS.gov is a searchable online database that lists most eligible charitable organizations. Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even if they are not listed in this database.
Itemize to Claim Charitable Donations
Charitable deductions are not available to individuals who choose the standard deduction. Only taxpayers who itemize using Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deductions for charitable contributions. Tax preparation software usually alerts taxpayers to the tax savings options available if itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction. The IRS.gov website can help you answer the question, “Should I itemize?”
Get Proof of Monetary Donations
A bank record or a written statement from the charity is needed to prove the amount and date of any donation of money. Money donations can include various forms apart from cash such as check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and payroll deduction. Taxpayers using payroll deductions should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other proof showing the total amount withheld for charity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity.
Donating Property
For donations of clothing and other household items the deduction amount is normally limited to the item’s fair market value. Clothing and household items must be in good or better condition to be tax-deductible. A clothing or household item for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with their tax return.
Donors must get a written acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more. It must include, among other things, a description of the items contributed. Special rules apply to cars, boats and other types of property donations.
Note Any Benefit in Return
Donors who get something in return for their donation may have to reduce their deduction. Benefits can include merchandise, meals, tickets to an event or other goods and services. A donation acknowledgment must state whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift along with a description and estimated value of those goods or services.
Good Records
The type of records a taxpayer needs to keep depends on the amount and type of the donation. An additional reporting form is required for many property donations and an appraisal is often required for larger donations of property. Visit IRS.gov for more information.
The above is directly quoted from the IRS newsletter sent Tuesday November 21, 2017 Issue Number IR-2017-191. It is direct information from the IRS as the best way to set up your charitable donations. Again, if you or your business has specific questions or situations, please contact us here at GLM.
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