How Do You Determine What The IRS Considers A Charitable Contribution?
• Look at IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, online at http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_2010_publink1000229641 to understand what types of organizations you can deduct donations to. • Generally, the organization must be located in the U.S. or one of the U.S. possessions (like Puerto Rico). • The organization must be charitable, educational, religious, literary or scientific. Organizations that prevent cruelty to children/animals or develop amateur sporting events also qualify. Contributions to colleges, museums, medical research organizations and public parks are some examples that are tax deductible. • Verify that a specific organization qualifies. • You can ask the organization if it’s qualified. • Check IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, online at www.irs.gov/app/pub-78 to see if the organization is listed. • Call the IRS at (877) 829-5500 to ask if the organization qualifies. • Meet the IRS requirements for monetary donations. They
