| Charitable contributions must be made to qualified | | | | date and amount of the contribution and the name of |
| organizations to be deductible. You can ask any | | | | the organization, or a payroll deduction record. |
| organization whether it is a qualified organization and | | | | 5. Only contributions actually made during the tax year |
| most will be able to tell you. You can also check IRS | | | | are deductible. For example, if you pledged $500 in |
| Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, which | | | | September but paid the charity only $200 by Dec. 31, |
| lists most qualified organizations. IRS Publication 78 is | | | | your deduction would be $200. |
| available at IRS.gov. | | | | 6. Include credit card charges and payments by check |
| 1. Charitable contributions are deductible only if you | | | | in the year they are given to the charity, even though |
| itemize deductions using Form 1040, Schedule A | | | | you may not pay the credit card bill or have your bank |
| 2. You generally can deduct your cash contributions | | | | account debited until the next year. |
| and the fair market value of most property you | | | | 7. For any contribution of $250 or more, you must |
| donate to a qualified organization. Special rules apply to | | | | have written acknowledgment from the organization to |
| several types of donated property, including clothing or | | | | substantiate your donation. This written proof must |
| household items, cars and boats. | | | | include the amount of cash and a description and good |
| 3. If your contribution entitles you to receive | | | | faith estimate of value of any property you |
| merchandise, goods, or services in return – such as | | | | contributed, and whether the organization provided any |
| admission to a charity banquet or sporting event – | | | | goods or services in exchange for the gift. |
| you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair | | | | 8. To deduct charitable contributions of items valued at |
| market value of the benefit received. | | | | $500 or more you must complete a Form 8283, |
| 4. Be sure to keep good records of any contribution | | | | Noncash Charitable Contributions, and attached the |
| you make, regardless of the amount. For any | | | | form to your return. |
| contribution made in cash, you must maintain a record | | | | An appraisal generally must be obtained if you claim a |
| of the contribution such as a bank record – including | | | | deduction for a contribution of noncash property worth |
| a cancelled check or a bank or credit card statement | | | | more than $5,000. |
| – a written record from the charity containing the | | | | |