business cash donation to charity

[lamspp]

If I make a cash donation (over $500) to quality charity through my business (single LLC), and no benefit receive from it, can it be deducted as business expense and which section should I input the amount? And I use standard deduction not itemized for my personal tax return and have schedule C for my business. Thanks

[quorumof1]

Hi There

For a charitable contribution - there would be no business deduction for the single member LLC on your Schedule C.  As you surmised it would instead be an itemized -charitable deduction.

Also a cash donation will have to substantiated by receipt from a qualified organization.

[marctu]

The basis of your question is can I make a charitable contribution and have that charitable contribution treated as a business expense of a single member LLC that is a disregarded entity for tax purposes.  The answer is no.   S corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietors can make donations, but the business owners/shareholders have to report the donations as a personal charitable deduction on Schedule A (Form 1040). This provides a tax benefit only if you are able to itemize your deductions.

Thank you for your question @lamspp and , I am sorry that it was not the answer that you were hoping for. 

All the best,

Marc T.

Turbo Tax Expert

27 Years of Helping Clients