If you’re planning to make a donation to a charitable organization and you want to be able to deduct that contribution on your tax return, first you must make certain the organization meets the IRS’s definition of a charitable organization. The IRS maintains a convenient list of exempt organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations; checking that list can be a great starting point for determining whether a group is a qualified charitable organization for tax purposes.
However, you’ll want to be aware that there are several types of organizations that are not included on that searchable exempt list, even though your contributions may be tax deductible. These organizations include:
- Churches and associations of churches
- State and local governments (including tribal governments)
- Subordinate units of group exemptions
For documentation purposes, you’ll also want to get a receipt from the charity. This receipt needs to indicate the name of the qualified charitable organization, the date, and the amount of the contribution.
If you have questions about tax-deductible contributions to qualified charitable organizations, don’t hesitate to ask. Pro Tax Resolution provides answers to tax questions large and small, and we’re happy to help no matter what your tax problems may be. Call now to learn more!