Ask the Taxgirl: Charitable Deductions
Taxpayer asks: Hi,I rescue stray cats and take them to my vet to get them fixed. Can I deduct vet bills, disinfectant, feed and so on from my Income Tax Return? Thanks.
Taxgirl says: Good question, but unfortunately the answer is no. You can’t deduct charitable acts like helping out animals, giving a homeless person some cash or even donating some cash to a parent to help out with a child’s medical bills unless you’re paying the funds directly to a qualified charitable organization, as recognized by the IRS. If you’re not sure if an organization qualifies, ask them for verification or check them out on the IRS web site.
What you’re doing is certainly charitable, just not deductible!
Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.
