Charity Volunteer Tax Deductions Explained

Tax Deductible Expenses for Charity Volunteers

Are you a volunteer for a charity? You might be able to get some tax breaks! While you can't deduct the value of your time, you can deduct certain costs you pay for while volunteering. Here's what you need to know:

Charity Tax Exempt Status:

The charity you volunteer for must have tax-exempt status from the IRS.

General Rules for Deducting Volunteer Expenses:

You can't deduct the value of your time, but you can deduct out-of-pocket costs related to volunteering.

Away-From-Home Travel Expenses:

If you travel away from home to volunteer, you can deduct travel costs like transportation, lodging, and meals.

Vehicle Expenses:

You can deduct expenses like gas and oil if you use your car for volunteering.

Entertaining For Charity:

You can deduct the cost of entertaining others on behalf of a charity, like wining and dining potential donors.

Uniforms:

You can deduct the cost of buying and cleaning uniforms worn while volunteering.

Use of Capital Assets:

You can't deduct the cost of buying an asset used for volunteering if you still own it.

Conventions:

You can deduct expenses for attending a convention as a representative of a charity.

Underprivileged Youths:

You can deduct expenses for allowing underprivileged youths to attend events.

Foster Parents:

Some costs of being a foster parent may be deductible if you're not making a profit.

Church Deacon Substantiation Requirements:

Keep detailed records and get written acknowledgment from the charity for any contributions over $250.

For more information on deducting expenses as a charity volunteer, contact our office.

If you are interested in giving back to an organization we recommend YAMM (Youth Achieving Moral Maturity.