Excellent thread, actually pondered requesting something about donating as a thread. Thank you!
I spent time yesterday researching locations of where to donate items purchased for charity by shopping strategically and understanding whether these donations would be tax-deductible.
My questions - Where are people donating the food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items? And, how are receipts handled? What tips do others have in regards to obtaining receipts when donating to use for tax write-offs? When I put bags of food out for the mail carrier in May for the national food drive, can these donations be tax-deductible? Where would I find a receipt?
Of course there are churches which some are more intensively soliciting food and personal items. I found this
quote which I expect includes non-food items.
Quote:
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Must churches be 501(c)(3) for their members’ tithes, donations, and gifts to be tax-deductible? ...No, according to attorney Marcus Owens, Washington, D.C., a former head of the IRS’ tax-exempt division, and to IRS regulations readily accessible to the public.
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Other than a church, other organizations in the Nashville area include
Goodwill,
Salvation Army,
AmVets,
the Arc, and
Fannie Battle Day Home who will all take clothing, home goods, and accessories. (no
Deseret Industries back east) All of these are great at providing a receipt for tax purposes.
For food stuff
Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) and the
Nashville Rescue Mission (part of the
nationwide rescue missions). On the
Nashville Rescue Mission site it describes items that are "most needed" which includes cleaning supplies, over-the-counter medications and personal care items. Do these organizations provide receipts as part of dropping goods off at their facilities? I did not see notations about accepting non-food items at the Nashville facility but I did for other sites in the country - Do not all donation sites accept non-food, essential items? My past experience donating to food banks did not include receiving a receipt. Is it appropriate to request a receipt from these organizations? What other places take food donations?
The women shelters I've contacted want cash only donations. Do others have ideas on entities taking donations of personal care items (makeup, girlie things, etc.) and cleaning materials?