I am the founder and president of a 501c3 charity that is an animal rescue. I live on the property where the animals are housed and cared for. I pay the rent for this property monthly via my personal bank account. Can I deduct this as a donation on my personal taxes or do I need to donate the money for the rent expense to the rescue and then write a check for the rent from the rescue bank account to be able to use it as a deduction on my personal taxes? And if so, am I allowed to deduct the full amount of the monthly rent or only a portion? This property is set up for and devoted to the care of the animal residents with a small living space for myself.
