Table of Contents
New recordkeeping requirements for cash contributions. You cannot deduct a cash contribution, regardless of the amount, unless you keep as a record of the contribution a bank record (such as a canceled check, a bank copy of a canceled check, or a bank statement containing the name of the charity, the date, and the amount) or a written communication from the charity. The written communication must include the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and amount of the contribution. See Records To Keep.
Filing fee for easements on buildings in historic districts. A new $500 filing fee must be paid for each qualified conservation contribution after February 12, 2007, that is an easement on a building in a registered historic district, if the claimed deduction is more than $10,000. See Building in registered historic district under Qualified Conservation Contribution.
Donor advised funds. Contributions to a donor advised fund after February 13, 2007, are not deductible in certain cases. To deduct these contributions, you must have an acknowledgment from the donee that the donee has exclusive legal control over the assets contributed. See Contributions to Donor Advised Funds under Contributions You Cannot Deduct.
Higher standard mileage rate for Hurricane Katrina expires. The higher standard mileage rate for the use of your car in giving services to a charitable organization to provide relief related to Hurricane Katrina has expired. See Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Giving Services for information about the car expenses you can deduct for 2007.
Limit on itemized deductions. For 2007, if your adjusted gross income is more than $156,400 ($78,200 if you are married filing separately), you may have to reduce the amount of certain itemized deductions, including charitable contributions. For more information and a worksheet, see the instructions for Schedule A (Form 1040).
Disaster relief. You can deduct contributions for flood relief, hurricane relief, or other disaster relief to a qualified organization (defined under Organizations That Qualify To Receive Deductible Contributions). However, you cannot deduct contributions earmarked for relief of a particular individual or family.
This publication explains how to claim a deduction for your charitable contributions. It discusses organizations that are qualified to receive deductible charitable contributions, the types of contributions you can deduct, how much you can deduct, what records to keep, and how to report charitable contributions.
A charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. It is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting to get, anything of equal value.
Internal Revenue Service
Individual Forms and Publications Branch
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:I
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224
National Distribution Center
P.O. Box 8903
Bloomington, IL 61702-8903
Publication
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78 Cumulative List of Organizations
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561 Determining the Value of Donated Property
Form (and Instructions)
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Schedule A (Form 1040)
Itemized Deductions -
8283
Noncash Charitable Contributions
See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for information about getting these publications and forms.
Table 1. Examples of Charitable Contributions—A Quick Check
Use the following lists for a quick check of contributions you can or cannot deduct. See the rest of this publication for more information and additional rules and limits that may apply.
Deductible As
Charitable Contributions |
Not Deductible As
Charitable Contributions |
Money or property you give to: | Money or property you give to: |
Expenses paid for a student living with you, sponsored by a qualified organization Out-of-pocket expenses when you serve a qualified organization as a volunteer |
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Cost of raffle, bingo, or lottery tickets Dues, fees, or bills paid to country clubs, lodges, fraternal orders, or similar groups Tuition Value of your time or services Value of blood given to a blood bank |
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