Am i able to claim charitable donations which i benefit from?

[ssdevo2]

We donated at a 2016 auction and "won" tickets for a sporting event in 2017.  The Auction bid far exceeded the event value.

[Patrice · Accepted solution]

No, you are not able to claim charitable donations if you receive a benefit.  Keep in mind that you can't write off a contribution to the extent that you get something in return. For example, if you buy a $50 ticket to a fundraising dinner at a church, but the cost of the dinner is $20, you can deduct $30. In your case, since you received a benefit that exceeded the amount of the donation then you cannot deduct any of the donation.