Showing posts with label Charitable organization donations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charitable organization donations. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

How Giving Leads to Saving

You’ve probably heard the saying that giving is better than receiving. That may be true, but why can’t you have both? If you are someone who gives money to charity or donates goods to charitable organizations, you are entitled to deductions that can help you save money.

Every Contribution Counts!

Most people can’t afford to give huge amounts of money to charity each year. However, even people who can’t give large amounts will usually donate something throughout the year. Maybe they add a dollar to their supermarket purchase to help support charity, or maybe they purchase girl scout
cookies or something else small for a good cause.

However, even these little contributions count; it’s just up to the giver to remember to count them! Donors can request a receipt, even for small donations, and store them until tax time. They’re often surprised to find how much they’ve actually given throughout the year...and how much of a break it can cut them on their taxes.

Add Up Expenses

Sometimes, “giving back” just means handing over some cash, buying something, or driving items to the local thrift store. Other times, however, there are expenses involved in being a good person.

For those whose good deeds require them to travel, such as to support or take part in a charitable event, the costs of things like gasoline, airline tickets, hotels, and even food eaten along the way can all be deducted.

Be Honest

As with all things tax-related, be honest in your dealings. Don’t over-declare donations or over-exaggerate their worth. After all, the whole point is to do something good and get a little back, not to be greedy and dishonest.

Those who give (and receive) the right way will enjoy two rewards: the reward of having done the right thing and the financial reward of a nice tax break.