From the category archives:

charitable organizations

Ask the taxgirl: Volunteering and Charitable Deductions

16 August 2009

Taxpayer asks:
My wife is a Girl Scouts Leader. Is all of her time and contributions to the troop tax deductible? If so, how?
Taxgirl says:
Okay, the bad news first: the value of your time spent volunteering for charitable organizations is never deductible. Ever.
But there is good news! Out of pocket expenses relating to [...]

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Fix the Tax Code Friday: Charitable Deductions

24 July 2009

Earlier today, I blogged the case of the Herbstreits who have sued the IRS for denying a charitable deduction for donating their home (but not the related property) to the local fire department for training purposes. Since then, I’ve had a few interesting conversations (including on twitter!) about the value of the deduction. [...]

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Racing for the Cure

7 May 2009

On Sunday, I’ll be racing for the cure for breast cancer in honor of my grandmother.
I would love your support. You can donate any amount here. All deductions are completely tax deductible!
And if you’re in Philly, join my team! The more, the merrier!

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Ask the taxgirl: Efiling and Charitable Contributions

8 April 2009

Taxpayer asks:
Hi…
I’m about to file my taxes through efile using H&R Block’s Tax Cut software. I was wondering if the IRS will see my list of charitable organizations? When I filed paper copies in past years, that information was not disclosed.
Does efile provide the IRS with more information then paper filing?
Thanks!
Taxgirl says:
I can’t [...]

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“American Terrorist” McVeigh Attorney Loses Tax Deduction

31 March 2009

I know what you’re thinking – McVeigh was executed, right? What’s this about a tax deduction?
You’re right. Timothy McVeigh was a US Army vet who was eventually found guilty of bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on the second anniversary of the Waco Siege, April 19, 1995. He was [...]

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Can IRS Save The Press?

25 March 2009

For months now, we’ve heard tales that the newspaper industry as we know it is “done.” Several big name papers have announced that they’re closing down or making cuts. Philadelphia’s own Daily News, for example, is no more.
Newspaper owners blame a perfect storm of a downturn in the economy, combined with the rise [...]

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Twitter Tax Tips #3

3 March 2009

Keep track of your mileage to/from volunteer activities for qualified charities. If you itemize, it’s deductible. #TwitterTaxTip
(For more on twitter tax tips, see my prior explanatory post.)

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Is Obama’s New Tax Plan A Bit Uncharitable?

2 March 2009

There’s a bag of used clothes on my porch that it is on its way to the Salvation Army (though not in this snow!). Like many Americans, my family makes an effort to give to a variety of charitable causes throughout the year. But why do we do it?
I was raised to believe [...]

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Free Aid is Just a Click Away

19 February 2009

In response to a few of my posts where readers expressed concern about the cost of legal services, one of the kind folks on twitter* directed me to LawHelp.org, a web page that links to a series of legal information websites that are maintained by the legal aid and pro bono programs in each state. [...]

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Ask the taxgirl: Where to Report Charitable Contributions

9 January 2009

Taxpayer asks:
Hello there and thank you for answering my question.
I am self employed and contributed nearly $8,000 in cash/non cash donations this past year (goodwill, church, habitat for humanity). When my friend did my taxes on her computer program it did not reflect a deduction upon entering in the charitable donation information.
I hve [...]

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