A donation made to any organization that is classified as a 501(c)3 by the IRS is tax deductible. The IRS website lists all organizations that have 501(c)3 status.
The Internal Revenue Code of the United States defines 28 classes of organizations that are tax exempt. 501(c)3 is among those 28 classes. But just because an organization is tax exempt does not mean any donation to it is tax deductible. To get a tax deduction, you have to be giving to a charity that has 501(c)3 status. The IRS publishes a list of all 501(c)3 charities in Publication 78: Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Publication 78 is also available online in a searchable format. Every organization listed in Publication 78 is qualified to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
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A similar designation, and a common one, is 501(c)4 status. This is for organizations that have political motives -- like political campaigns or environmental groups that hire lobbyists, like the Sierra Club. Donations to these organizations are not tax-deductible. As the two kinds of groups often fund-raise and advertise for support in similar ways, it is an easy and common mistake for people to donate thinking that they can deduct the contribution, and then learn otherwise later. So always check first. Donating to these kinds of organizations is still an excellent use of money and a way to make a difference in the world, but just keep in mind that it won't help you on tax day.
When you do make a donation to a charity with 501(c)3 status, make sure you get a receipt from them if the donation is worth 0 or more. Even smaller donations benefit from having a receipt, just in case you should ever have to go through a tax audit. Receipts come in a lot of different forms, from a simple pre-printed receipt from a Goodwill donation, to a full signed letter on the charity's letterhead outlining the details of the donation. If you gave more than 0 of money or goods, be sure to get the letter, written on the charity's letterhead, dated and signed by an officer of the organization.
Charitable donations can come in many forms. They do not have to be cash donations. Goods and even services can be donated. These are referred to as "in-kind" donations. You can get a deduction for these, but you can not deduct the original value of the objects (what you paid for them). You can only deduct their "fair market value" on the day you donated them. "Fair market value" is typically what you would get for the item if you sold it, either through a yard sale or a consignment store or on eBay. If you are donating something that is valuable and unusual, like art or an antique, you should probably get it appraised by an IRS-approved appraiser.
Of course, everyone's tax situation is different. If you really want to be sure to get a tax deduction, contact a certified tax preparer to make sure every detail of your specific situation and your specific donation qualifies. Some kinds of donations, like vehicle donations, have special rules that have to be met.
How to Find Out If a Donation Is Tax Deductible
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