Making the most of your contributions includes not only finding a charity that's right for you but also knowing about your tax benefits. All the charities on our site - as well as us - are registered with the IRS as 501(c)(3) organizations and have been given tax-exempt status. To learn more about this and other related topics, please browse our FAQs below.

For charities, this means that they can accept contributions and offer donors a tax deduction for their gifts. For donors like you, this means your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law. The email receipt you receive from us does indeed meet all the IRS requirements as a record of donation.

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What is my tax benefit for charitable contributions?
The chart below gives the deduction for a single person in each tax bracket making a cash donation of $100. The instructions for the Form 1040 will help determine the exact amount of your deduction, which will vary depending on your tax bracket and whether you file as a single person or jointly.

What counts as a charitable organization?
A charitable organization is generally defined as any nonprofit organization that is incorporated and identified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. These organizations have been given tax-exempt status and can accept contributions. The Charity itself is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, as well as all of its one million charities.

Please note: Not all donations to nonprofits can be claimed as charitable deductions, even if the organization is registered as a nonprofit. Check with the IRS on whether or not an organization can receive charitable deductions.

Charitable events: For a charitable event, only a portion of the ticket value is deductible. The charity hosting the event will be able to identify the exact value of the benefits for each event.

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How can I take a deduction for my donation?
To claim a deduction, you will need to fill out a 1040 Form, which is available through the IRS website, and itemize your deductions on Schedule A. If you fill out the short form or take standard deductions, you cannot claim your contributions.

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Do I need a receipt for donations I make?
Taxable years beginning prior to the effective date of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the IRS doesn't require receipts for donations under $250, though it is a good idea to keep this information on file. For all donations made in taxable years beginning after the effective date of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the IRS requires the donor to maintain the bank record or a written communication from the organization to which you donate. Every time you make a donation through us, that donation is recorded in your Giving History by the year, a feature that makes itemizing your taxes easy and convenient.

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Do I need any acknowledgement for donations under $250?
Taxable years beginning prior to the effective date of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the IRS doesn't require receipts for donations under $250, though it is a good idea to keep this information on file. For donations made in taxable years beginning after the effective date of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the IRS requires the donor to maintain the bank record or a written communication from the organization to which you donate. Always note the name of the organization, the donation amount, and the date of the contribution.

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For donations over $250, what information does the receipt need?
The donor must maintain the bank record or a written communication from the organization to which you donate. The acknowledgment needs to record the name of the organization, the donation amount, and the date the contribution, as well as a written acknowledgement of any property or services that you may have received in return for your donation and an estimate of their value. The IRS should acknowledge an email receipt as an acceptable record of contribution, but to be certain, always consult your tax advisor.

When you donate on our site, your email acknowledgment will provide the amount, transaction date, and the charity name, all things the IRS wants you to keep a record of when you donate.

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Can I receive a tax deduction for a donation to a nonprofit overseas?
If you want to take a deduction for your donation, be sure to donate to a charity registered in the United States. That doesn't mean you can't give to an organization that has an international scope, such as CARE or Save the Children. You just have to make sure the charity is registered in the U.S. if you want to take the deduction.

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Can I take a deduction for volunteering my time and services?
You cannot deduct the value of time or services to a charitable organization, but you can deduct any hard costs associated with that volunteering, such as the gas or bus fare it costs to get there. For example, if you volunteer in a charitable hospital and have to wear a uniform, you can deduct the cost of buying and cleaning the uniform. The IRS will let you deduct any out-of-pocket expenses you acquire in the course of volunteering.