Which Charitable Contributions are Tax Deductible?
Did you know charitable contributions can reduce your taxable income? Donations you've made to a qualified organization may be tax deductible.
Is my donation tax deductible?
For giving money, goods, or property to certain types of organizations, the IRS allows you to take a tax deduction. Only donations to groups defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible. So, what contributions are tax deductible?
Deductible
Clothes
Furniture
Books
Household Goods
Food, such as canned
goods for a food bank
Religious institutions
Federal, state, and
local governments (for public purposes)
Nonprofit schools, museums, and hospitals
Certain foundations, such as the American Red Cross
Veterans' groups
Volunteer firefighters' groups
Hosting a foreign student sponsored by a qualifying organization
(up to $50 per month)
Volunteering with a qualified organization
(e.g., transportation costs)
Nondeductible
Sports clubs fees
Union dues
Donations to most foreign organizations
Funds for lobbying groups
Homeowners' association dues
Donations to individual people, such as GoFundMe payments
Political donations
Raffle, bingo, or lottery tickets
Country club, fraternity, or sorority dues
Tuition
The value of your time or services
Blood donations
Keep receipts to document your donations in case you get audited by the IRS.
Monetary contributions can be tracked with written or email receipts, bank statements, or credit card statements. Include the date, organization, and amount.
Deducting donations worth $250 or more requires a written letter from the accepting charity.
If you donate items worth more than $5,000, get a qualified appraisal. Attach Form 8283 to your return to prove this value.
Donations via automatic payroll deductions should appear on your W-2.
You generally must
itemize your deductions to claim charitable contributions.
For your 2020, you can deduct up to $300 of donations per tax return if you take the standard deduction.
In 2021, you can claim up to $300 for a single filer or up to $600 for married couples filing jointly.
