Can claim as a charitable contribution my $1,000 a month contribution towards my quadrapeligic brother's $3,000 a month cost for Visiting Angels nursing support?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

Sorry--no.   Only donations to recognized charities can be entered on a tax return.  You are providing a gift that is for your family member.  Although you are being very kind and generous, gifts to family members are not deductible.   

[Opus 17]

Gifts to specific individuals are never tax deductible, even if they are needy.  The gift musts be to an exempt organization registered with the IRS.  Even then, if you have too much control over the gift, it is not tax deductible.  (For example, if you donated money to Visiting Angels' general fund, that may be deductible, but if you give money to Visiting Angels on condition that they use the money for your brother's care, that is not deductible.)