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Did you make a donation to a charity this year? If so, you may be able to take a deduction for it on your 2010 tax return.

Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants every taxpayer to know before deducting charitable donations.

1. Charitable contributions must be made to qualified organizations to be deductible. You can ask any organization whether it is a qualified organization and most will be able to tell you. You can also check IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, which lists most qualified organizations.
2. Charitable contributions are deductible only if you itemize deductions using Form 1040, Schedule A.
3. You generally can deduct your cash contributions and the fair market value of most property you donate to a qualified organization. Special rules apply to several types of donated property, including clothing or household items, cars and boats.
4. If your contribution entitles you to receive merchandise, goods, or services in return – such as admission to a charity banquet or sporting event – you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the benefit received.
5. Be sure to keep good records of any contribution you make, regardless of the amount. For any contribution made in cash, you must maintain a record of the contribution such as a bank record – including a cancelled check or a bank or credit card statement – a written record from the charity containing the date and amount of the contribution and the name of the organization, or a payroll deduction record.
6. Only contributions actually made during the tax year are deductible. For example, if you pledged $500 in September but paid the charity only $200 by Dec. 31, your deduction would be $200.
7. Include credit card charges and payments by check in the year they are given to the charity, even though you may not pay the credit card bill or have your bank account debited until the next year.
8. For any contribution of $250 or more, you must have written acknowledgment from the organization to substantiate your donation. This written proof must include the amount of cash and a description and good faith estimate of value of any property you contributed, and whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift.
9. To deduct charitable contributions of items valued at $500 or more you must complete a Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, and attached the form to your return.
10. An appraisal generally must be obtained if you claim a deduction for a contribution of non-cash property worth more than $5,000. In that case, you must also fill out Section B of Form 8283 and attach the form to your return.

For more information see IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, and for information on determining value, refer to Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property.

The main trick to maximizing the amount of your charitable deductions on your tax return is to make sure you have more than adequate documentation.  Usually, when preparing taxes for clients, we are presented with a blank card from Goodwill When you go to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or when you donate to any charity and they give you a blank card that has their tax info on there, document what was given.  Instead of saying one bag of clothes, do an inventory of what is in there and keep a record of it (4 men’s shirts, 3 women’s blouses, 2 pair boy’s shorts, etc.).  Some people even take pictures of the items they are donating before they drop them off or arrange for pickup.

This is one of the most highly-audited areas of a tax return for the Internal Revenue Service, so spending a little extra time and going beyond the minimal amount of documentation required will surely pay for itself.  When you have an inventory of everything and can show a picture to go along with that inventory, you can justify a higher deduction as opposed to just guessing at what some random items that might be in the bag you donated are worth.

If you have additional questions about charitable deductions or any other tax matter please do not hesitate to email us at info@MyGeorgiaAccountant.com or you can ask a question in the space provided below.  You can also reach Shurek Accounting & Tax at (404) 931-9318 and we will be happy to discuss whatever needs you may have for yourself or for your small business.