Tax Grrrl explains the ins and outs of deducting beauty pageant costs, with a disturbing picture thrown in at no……

Assuming that it otherwise qualifies as a charitable donation, I think it would matter what you said. If it’s a “good luck” ad, I would say the actual value of that is de minimis – you’re clearly not get a tangible benefit from that ad. It’s all warm fuzzies.

If you’re a business, different story – I think IRS could argue that you’re getting the actual benefit of the ad. In that event, I’d chuck the charitable donation altogether and call it promotion, like advertising in the Yellow Pages.

Or is it merely their form of donor recognition, which wouldn’t have an impact on whether or not the gift is fully deductible? Even if it’s a picture of your friend’s daughter with a message like “Good Luck Tyffini! Your friend, EZ Mark”?