If donations to Salvation Army are tax deductible, how do you fill that in on a 1040A?
Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at
10:20 pm
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If you itemize deductions then you must use form 1040.
Form 1040A allows for what is called "standard deduction" which includes charitable giving.
You don’t. In order to deduct non-cash contributions (or any contributions, for that matter), you have to fill out a regular 1040 and a schedule A. Your non-cash contributions go on line 17 of schedule A. If you’ve donated more than $500 worth (in fair market value, not your basis), then you also need to fill out form 8283.
Hope that helps. :0)
You need to report it on a Schedule A but if you don’t have a lot of deductible expenses like mortgage interest, real estate taxes, state income taxes etc. then you most likely are better off with the standard deduction.
You should have received a statement from the SA listing the amount of your donation. You would include that has part of your itemized deductions. You can ONLY claim it if you itemize rather than take the standard deduction. For most people, unless they have their own business, or have had a unusual loss during the year, find that the standard deduction will get them more back that itemizing.
You must use form 1040 (not 1040A) in order to be able to itemize your deductions and claim your charitable contributions. However, this is only beneficial if your itemized deduction exceedyour standard deduction.
Richard K
This advice is based upon the law in effect at the time it was written as it applies to the facts described by you. See my profile for more information.