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    aulke's Avatar
    aulke Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Apr 10, 2008, 08:00 AM
    Tax return for charitable donation
    Hi,

    Last year I signed up for a plan where I support child in a foreign country. While I signing up they mentioned to me that at the end of the year, while I am filing my taxes, I will get all of my donations back since that organization is a 501(c)(3) organization and all of my contributions are tax deductable.

    Recently I have received my "tax receipt" from that organization which states the total amount that I paid in the past calender year, but no clear instructions on how to enter that number into my tax return form. I was wondering if any one could help me? :)

    Thank you very much!
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #2

    Apr 10, 2008, 08:09 AM
    First, you do NOT get "all" your money back. A tas deduction is used to reduce your taxable income. Its not a tax credit which reduces the amount you owe.

    Second, to claim this tax deduction, you need to be itemizing your deductions, you can't do it if you take the standard deduction. So on the Deductions form (Schedule D I think) there is a place to enter charitable contributions.
    aulke's Avatar
    aulke Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Apr 10, 2008, 08:14 AM
    Thank you very much for your help,

    I will post the result here, once I am done filing my taxes, for others to see as well. :)
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #4

    Apr 10, 2008, 12:15 PM
    You claim charitable deductions on schedule A, not D. See:

    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sa.pdf
    aulke's Avatar
    aulke Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Apr 10, 2008, 12:52 PM
    That link was VERY helpful. Thank you very much. It is all explained in there... :D

    I am just unsure how to show my receipt if I am filing taxes online. Does the IRS trust me that I am telling the truth when I enter the donation amount or do I have to separately mail in my donation receipt?
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #6

    Apr 10, 2008, 01:04 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by aulke
    Does the IRS trust me that I am telling the truth when I enter the donation amount or do I have to seperately mail in my donation receipt?
    Wasn't it Ronald Reagan who said "trust, but verify"? That's the IRS motto. They trust you to be honest in your reporting, but they will want to verify if they see something out of the ordinary. So no, you do not need to send anything in with your return that proves your charitable donation (unless you make a non-cash donation > $500). However, save your receipt, so that in case the IRS comes knocking on your door you have the documentation to prove it.
    aulke's Avatar
    aulke Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Apr 10, 2008, 01:24 PM
    I like the IRS motto!

    Thank you for all your help. Now I can send in my forms happily :D
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #8

    Apr 10, 2008, 04:06 PM
    Yeah, obviously you can't send receipts and such when filing electronically (Yet). So the IRS reserves the right to ask for documentation if they feel there is a problem with your return. So you need to keep your receipts and documentation for at least 7 years.

    Thanks be, for the correction on the name of the form.
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