AZ Jane

Someone may have answered this before but several things could have gone wrong. Yes, you sometimes need to ask for a receipt. The person in charge may not have known either most non-profits are run by volunteers and they come with different skill sets. Should they have known, yes, is it possible they didn't, yes. Things change with tax laws all the time. So please, don't be hurt and take it personally, as they say life happens.

nanac

I donated a large quilt for a raffle for a charity auction. I was not able to charge for my time/labor, but I was able to deduct the cost of the materials. My suggestion is to always get a receipt for anything you donate (because the IRS has a deduction available for non-monetary donations).

ghostrider

That's one of those 'it depends' questions.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphi...after-tax-day/
http://money.msn.com/how-to-budget/h...er-weston.aspx
Also, the retention time for state tax records varies by state, so check that, too.

MaggieLou

There is a computer program that helps assign a value to donated items. The website is www.itsdeductible.com. It assigns a FMV to clothing and other items based on what they sell for at thrift stores like Goodwill, etc. You would be surprised how much more you can deduct using this program rather than coming up with what you think is a reasonable price. The IRS accepts their figures for tax purposes. It doesn't list everything that might be donated but it is broken down by mens, womens, children, household, etc. Items not listed you can assign a price yourself.

wildyard

The reason your friend got the receipt is probably because she knew to ask for it. I'm sure noone had the intent to use you badly. Many of us don't bother to get receipts because our income bracket is too low to itemize those things so it's not an issue. We file the short form and take the standard deductions.

Wintersewer

What does the size of one's income have to do with claiming the deduction? Can't anyone claim deductions for donated $$.

Jo Anne B.

I did a couple quilts for Quilts for Kids, not interested in doing that again, paying to mail them off..., no offer of a tax deduction. I guess I assumed they would have gone to the local chapter of Quilts for Kids, Silly me.... Yes I got an email thank you and have also the request email for more donations....too many options for other places for my charity quilts.

quiltmau

keep records and take pictures-for records and for yourself so you know what you did. You can take off the cost of fabric, thread, batting-not labour or hours spent. A simple way is figure how many yards of fabric used and times it by the cost of fabric. I quilt for charity, I bead for charity, and I am slowly getting rid of all my business clothes-I have only been retired for 10 years-slow, I know!!
Some of the suits were quite expensive-custom made Italian wool for example- but Goodwill sells them for almost nothing. I try to remember that the person buying, needs them and not of the original cost to me. I donate to help others-the tax write off does help some but it is not the be all or end all for gifting.

ghostrider

If you itemize your deductions, you can claim charitable contributions. Income level does not matter at all.

Wintersewer

I just Googled, "Value of donated items" and got a list without signing up or having to remember passwords.

[QUOTE=MaggieLou;5908746]There is a computer program that helps assign a value to donated items. The website is www.itsdeductible.com. It assigns a FMV to clothing and other items based on what they sell for at thrift stores like Goodwill, etc.