Qualifying for a Tax Deduction

You can deduct contributions to charity only if you itemize deductions on your Schedule A of Form 1040. You must take into account certain limitations on charitable contribution deductions. For example, your deduction cannot exceed 50% of your adjusted gross income. Other limitations may apply. Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, provides detailed information on claiming deductions and the deduction limits. It also describes the types of organizations that are qualified to receive taxdeductible contributions. Publication 526 is available online at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-3676 (toll-free).



acknowledgment must include the name of the charity,
a description (but not value) of your car, and one of the
following:
■ a statement that no goods or services were provided by
the charity in return for the contribution, if that was the case,
■ a description and good faith estimate of the value
of goods or services, if any, that the charity provided in
return for the contribution, or
■ a statement that goods or services that the charity
provided in return for the contribution consisted entirely
of intangible religious benefits, if that was the case.
You must get the written acknowledgment on or
before the earlier of the date you file your return for
the year you make the contribution, or the due date,
including extensions, for filing the return. A charity can
provide either a paper copy of the acknowledgment to
the donor, or a charity can provide the acknowledgment
electronically, such as via e-mail addressed to the donor.
Do not attach the acknowledgment to your income tax
return; instead, retain it with your records to substantiate
your contribution