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 animals, giving a homeless person cash, or even donating cash to a parent to help with a child’s medical bills unless you pay the funds directly to a qualified charitable organization recognized by the IRS. If you’re not sure if an organization qualifies, ask them for verification or check them out on the IRS website.
What you’re doing is certainly charitable, just not deductible!
[NOTE: There’s an update to this question. See this article (https://abcnews.go.com/Business/cat-rescue-worker-triumphs-irs/story?id=13840880).]
The fine print
Be sure to read my disclaimer… Remember, I’m a lawyer, and we love disclaimers. But you know who loves them more? My malpractice carrier. Consider yourself warned.
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