Deductions & credits

The substantiation requirements for deducting unreimbursed volunteer expenses depends on the amount of the expenses.

If expenses are $250 or more, you must get an acknowledgment from the church that contains:

• a description of the services provided
• a statement of whether or not the charity provided you any goods or services to reimburse the volunteer for the expenses incurred
• a description and a good faith estimate of the value of any goods or services (other than intangible religious benefits) provided to reimburse the volunteer, or
• a statement that the only benefit the volunteer received was an intangible religious benefit, if that was the case; the acknowledgment does not need to describe or estimate the value of an intangible religious benefit.

List your receipt individually if the total is more than $250.

If the expenses are less than $250, You don't need any document from the church. You just need to keep a good record in case you get audited.

To report your charitable unreimbursed expenses:

1. Login to your account.
2. Select Federal from the left menu.
3. Go to Deductions and Credits.
4. Scroll down to Charitable Donations.
5. Select start next to Donations to charity in 2020