A charitable cash donation is not a dollar for dollar tax deduction. What percentage of a donation is tax deductible?

[AnnaB · Accepted solution]

The entire donation (up to certain income limits, generally for cash contributions it is 50% of your adjusted gross income) is included in itemized deductions.  To the extent you exceed the standard deduction, it is fully deductible.

However, you only receive a tax benefit for your marginal tax bracket.  If you are in the 25% tax bracket, then you would receive a direct tax break of 25% of your deducted donation.  However, you may be partially in the 15% bracket and partially in the 25% bracket which would create a percentage within those two.

Note: At a certain income level, itemized deductions can be phased out.