Instructions For Schedule A (Form 1040) - Itemized Deductions

Examples of Qualified

lation extended the deduction so you can

1. The amount of any money con-

claim it on your 2017 return, go to

Charitable Organizations

tributed and a description (but not value)

IRS.gov/Extenders.

of any property donated.

The following list gives some examples

2. Whether the organization did or

of qualified organizations. See Pub 526

Line 14

did not give you any goods or services

for more examples.

in return for your contribution. If you

Churches, mosques, synagogues,

Investment Interest

did receive any goods or services, a de-

temples, and other religious organiza-

scription and estimate of the value must

tions.

Investment interest is interest paid on

be included. If you received only intan-

Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs

money you borrowed that is allocable to

gible religious benefits (such as admis-

of America, CARE, Girl Scouts, Good-

property held for investment. It doesn't

sion to a religious ceremony), the organ-

will Industries, Red Cross, Salvation Ar-

include any interest allocable to passive

ization must state this, but it doesn't

my, and United Way.

activities or to securities that generate

have to describe or value the benefit.

Fraternal orders, if the gifts will be

tax-exempt income.

used for the purposes listed under

Gifts

In figuring whether a gift is $250 or

Complete and attach Form 4952 to

Charity, earlier.

more, don't combine separate donations.

figure your deduction.

Veterans'

and

certain

cultural

For example, if you gave your church

groups.

$25 each week for a total of $1,300,

Exception. You don't have to file Form

Nonprofit hospitals and medical

treat each $25 payment as a separate

4952 if all three of the following apply.

research organizations.

gift. If you made donations through pay-

1. Your investment interest expense

Most nonprofit educational organi-

roll deductions, treat each deduction

is less than your investment income

zations, such as colleges, but only if

from each paycheck as a separate gift.

from interest and ordinary dividends mi-

your contribution isn't a substitute for

See Pub. 526 if you made a separate gift

nus any qualified dividends.

tuition or other enrollment fees.

of $250 or more through payroll deduc-

2. You have no other deductible in-

Federal, state, and local govern-

tion.

vestment expenses.

ments if the gifts are solely for public

You must get the statement by

3. You have no disallowed invest-

purposes.

the date you file your return or

TIP

ment interest expense from 2016.

Amounts You Can Deduct

the due date (including exten-

sions) for filing your return, whichever

Alaska Permanent Fund divi-

Contributions can be in cash, property,

is earlier. Don't attach the statement to

dends, including those reported

or out-of-pocket expenses you paid to do

your return. Instead, keep it for your re-

on Form 8814, aren't invest-

CAUTION

volunteer work for the kinds of organi-

cords.

ment income.

zations described earlier. If you drove to

and from the volunteer work, you can

Limit on the amount you can deduct.

For more details, see Pub. 550.

take the actual cost of gas and oil or 14

See Pub. 526 to figure the amount of

cents a mile. Add parking and tolls to

your deduction if any of the following

Gifts to Charity

the amount you claim under either meth-

applies.

od. But don't deduct any amounts that

1. Your cash contributions or contri-

were repaid to you.

butions of ordinary income property are

You can deduct contributions or gifts

Gifts from which you benefit. If you

more than 30% of the amount on Form

you gave to organizations that are reli-

made a gift and received a benefit in re-

1040, line 38.

gious, charitable, educational, scientific,

turn, such as food, entertainment, or

2. Your gifts of capital gain property

or literary in purpose. You can also de-

merchandise, you can generally only de-

are more than 20% of the amount on

duct what you gave to organizations that

duct the amount that is more than the

Form 1040, line 38.

work to prevent cruelty to children or

value of the benefit. But this rule doesn't

animals. Certain whaling captains may

3. You gave gifts of property that

apply to certain membership benefits

be able to deduct expenses paid in 2017

increased in value or gave gifts of the

provided in return for an annual pay-

for Native Alaskan subsistence bowhead

use of property.

ment of $75 or less or to certain items or

whale hunting activities. See Pub. 526

benefits of token value. For details, see

Amounts You Can't Deduct

for details.

Pub. 526.

Travel expenses (including meals

Example. You paid $70 to a charita-

To verify an organization's charitable

and lodging) while away from home

ble organization to attend a fund-raising

status, you can:

performing donated services, unless

dinner and the value of the dinner was

Check with the organization to

there was no significant element of per-

$40. You can deduct only $30.

which you made the donation. The or-

sonal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in

ganization should be able to provide you

Gifts of $250 or more. You can deduct

the travel.

with verification of its charitable status.

a gift of $250 or more only if you have a

Political contributions.

Use our online search tool at

statement from the charitable organiza-

Dues, fees, or bills paid to country

IRS.gov/EOSelectCheck

to see if an or-

tion showing the information in (1) and

clubs, lodges, fraternal orders, or similar

ganization is eligible to receive tax-de-

(2) next.

groups.

ductible contributions (Publication 78

Cost of raffle, bingo, or lottery

data).

tickets. But you may be able to deduct

A-9

Instructions For Schedule A (Form 1040) - Itemized Deductions - 2017 Page 9

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