What is the highest cash charitable contribution I can claim without needing a receipt?
451884
A deduction of $250 or more requires a written acknowledgment (receipt) from the charity, so the answer to your question is $249.99.  The legal answer is, you can claim the amount you donated, up to $249.99, even if you don't have a receipt.
440178
Hi, you have a blessed heart.. so I suggest you visit this website and see where your charitable works fit most: \n\nwww.freedonation.com\n\nGoodluck.. =)
696082
accept items of interest for resale. sort of a thrift store operation. there is nothing like getting something for your donation. you might can get a location donated.
521525
You can also request a copy of the document directly from the charity or nonprofit organization - they are required to disclose it.  Some may have it available on the web.
586084
You should read the IRC about 501 c 3 non-profit corps. If you qualify as one of those non-profits you can find your exemption
278228
Although most charities are legitimate, there are quite a few charity scams. And you certainly don't want to give your money to scammers!\n\nHere are nine tips to ensure your money goes to worthy causes:\n\n1. Do some research on the charity. If you're trying to figure out whether or not some particular US charity is worthy of support, check out:\n\n==> http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp\n\nThey publish their standards for rating charities, and then rate over hundreds of different charities using these standards.\n\n2. Don't give to charities where most of the money goes to executive salaries, administrative costs and fundraising. The website we just recommended, Give.org, presents a pie chart that shows the percentage of money going to programs vs. administration and fundraising.\n\n3. Always find out the exact name of the charity before you send a check. Many fraudulent organizations select names that sound very similar to a legitimate charity.\n\n4. Make sure the charity is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (again, for US subscribers). Otherwise, you won't be able to deduct your contributions on income taxes.\n\n5. Never donate if the caller uses high-pressure tactics or insists you donate now.\n\n6. Always ignore phone calls, letters and emails telling you that you won money or a prize from a charity, unless you specifically entered a contest. These are almost always fraudulent.\n\n7. Avoid charities that won't send you written material before you donate because it's 'too costly.' If an organization has something to hide, it's very likely fraudulent.\n\n8. Don't give cash donations, especially to door-to-door solicitors. If you know the charity and want to contribute, never write a check made out to 'cash.' Always make sure the check is payable to the full name of the charity -- that way it can be cancelled if you suspect fraud.\n\n9. Never give your credit card number to door-to-door solicitors, or in response to a bulk email. In fact, don't give your credit card number unless you are completely confident about the authenticity and good intentions of the charity. Otherwise, you may find yourself the victim of credit card fraud -- or even worse -- identity fraud.
118221
In-kind is a contribution not cash and when given to a non-profit the non-profit must still account for the value of the in-kind contribution so that it shows it is not making a profit.
519464
Due to the new tax laws in regards to donating a boat, car, r.v., etc. the most you can write off for that donation is the amount that the non-profit organization or charity was able to get for it when they sell it. You use to be able to write off the "blue book" amount but that no longer applies. If you do donate it, you should recieve a letter from the charity or organization with the amount of sell.
689914
You can get that info from looking at the non-profit's Form 990. Guidestar, linked below, can get you that info
1038857
Call 1-800-829-3676 and ask for publication #17. Look up Itemized deductions. You are entering into a 1040 situation, long form and will have to learn how to master Schedules A-E which allow you to deduct charitable expenses and business expense. Of course the more you make the harder it is to deduct charitible expenses. You make more money and chance to itemize gets harder as you have to spend more to surpass tax ceilings. Itemizing is not just a charitable section, you will have to do you business and casualty, and medical calculations as well. All of that will go against your standard deduction to see which deduction is greater itemized or standard. And if you are married and filing separately your spouse will have to do the same thing, so this may be more work tan it is worth and it may hurt eiter you or her. As for the business thing, it is possible to deduct the part of house used as an office if and only if you do business in person with customers out of that office and it is not against your deed restrictions to do business with customers in your house. Anything that is otherwise illegal is not tax deductible. Of course you will have to prorate your house expenses to calculate how much you can deduct, and once again it goes towards that itemized versus standardized question of which is greater. In the end you may find out that you wasted your time. Plus, the more forms you fill out the more likely you are to be audited. So, you may want to seek an expert. The IRS will answer your questions at 1-800-829-4477, if not immediately within a couple of days, especially if it is a complicated question. Good Luck, and remember the liability for your filing lies squarely on your shoulders unless you get a tax preparer to do it for you and they sign the forms accordingly. Computer tax programs may help but they are only as rliable as the information you feed into them
784343
It's not deductible.  If they're a 501c(3) corporation (recognized as a charitable organization by the IRS) and you just gave them a $35 donation without getting a kitten, that could be deductible if you itemize.  But since you're getting something for your money, it's not a donation, it's a fee, no matter what they call it, so not deductible.
128892
Anything with a monetary value that is not a straight cash donation, including goods and services.
213492
Check Guidestar which archives Non Profit Tax Forms (990's).\nYou will have to sign up, but its free to use.
870407
There is none required.  You may if you wish add a comment to the question giving your thanks.
221506
you can just claim it. they give you a receipt that you fill out with the approximate value of the clothes you gave. it's a very loose system.\n\ntalk to an accountant. they will figure out the best things for you to do.
367265
Heres a couple websites for you\nhttp://www.firstgov.gov/Business/Nonprofit.shtml\nhttp://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html\n\nI agree with the other poster, check with your bank and see what they can do, but verify with a CPA or ideally a tax accountant (hopefully an alumni!). It can be a major headache, but you don't want to make a mistake in this area either.
52116
No, you have to itemize in order to deduct charitable contributions.