Can I deduct food items bought for a nonprofit organization?

[ChelsiE2 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can deduct the amount you paid for the food that you donated to a Qualified Charity.

On the IRS website you can look up if the non-profit charity is considered a Qualified charity.

https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Search-for-Charities

[heheher1]

If the amount total is over $500 do I need a statement from the organization or just keep the receipts?

[ChelsiE2]

Yes, you need a receipt from the charity.  The receipt should have the name of the charity, the date of the donation, a description of what you donated and whether you received anything in return for your donation.

[heheher1]

I have almost 40 receipts with food items, office supplies, fuel, etc that I spent for the charity/church.  Can I just write the total amount I spent without getting a statement from the organization?

[ChelsiE2]

Charities are required by the IRS to furnish donors receipts for items valued at greater than $75.

The IRS requires that individuals claiming donations of $250 or more to one charity are required to have a receipt from that charity substantiating that amount.

[heheher1]

Okay but I'm still confused as to what "type"of donation I need to add it to. There is no place for "food", just "items", "money", "stock" and "milage"

[ChelsiE2]

Food would be considered "items".

[evercurious2009]

But, TurboTax does not have a "Food" option under "Items", nor does it have an "Other" to specify.  So, how do you specify that you donated food to a food bank (I have the receipt)?

[evercurious2009]

Found the answer - for donating food to a charity such as a food bank:  You do NOT use "Items"; you use "Money" and enter it as cash.