topic If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible? in Deductions & credits

If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

famas — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:36:31 GMT

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

Hal_Al — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:41:24 GMT

Anything you buy and immediately donate to a charity is treated as a cash donation. You claim the amount you paid

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

DawnC — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 20:00:33 GMT

You can deduct the value of the items you donated as a charitable contribution and if you itemize deductions (instead of taking the standard deduction). To enter your charity contributions, you have two options:

Enter your charitable donations in our free ItsDeductible program which is available year-round. When tax time comes, simply import your donations from ItsDeductible into TurboTax. OR
Manually enter your charitable donations directly into TurboTax:
1. Open your return in TurboTax.
2. In the search box, search for donations and then select the Jump to link in the search results.
3. Answer Yes to Do you want to enter your donations for 2019?
4. Follow the instructions to enter your donations.

Since it is already tax time, option 2 is probably the easier option.

Related Information:

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

Harvco — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 06:36:21 GMT

I have donated food several times to the local Food Bank and have receipts from the food bank and from the stores I purchased the food from. Your program can not handle donations of fresh vegetables, rice, potatoes, etc. when I have the purchase receipts and receipts from the Food Bank. Why?

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

Harvco — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 06:38:03 GMT

I have itemized for years.

Thanks

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

Harvco — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 06:39:51 GMT

I will change all entries to cash. What a bunch of BS to go through to give some people some help, food!

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

BarbieM — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:30:49 GMT

You can enter them under the section that says "Can't find your item". Add your items and prices paid.

Re: If I donated canned goods and new food items to a charity, how do I claim it as a deductible?

Lessa3 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:34:04 GMT

Ok, but entered as what type of donation? Cash, as suggested by a user above? Household items?