Charitable Contributions

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Why don't I receive credit for a $300 Charitable Conttibution?

Deduction

Level 15

A charitable donation almost never changes your tax due or refund all by itself. First, your donation does not count "dollar for dollar"--it is calculated by a percentage based on your tax bracket. You need a LOT of other itemized deductions like mortgage interest or property taxes, medical expense, etc. to itemize and exceed your standard deduction.

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns. The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund.

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200 (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate $12,200 (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400 (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350 (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

Look on line 9 of your 2019 Form 1040 to see your itemized/standard deduction amount

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

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xmasbaby0

Answer

Level 15

A charitable donation almost never changes your tax due or refund all by itself. First, your donation does not count "dollar for dollar"--it is calculated by a percentage based on your tax bracket. You need a LOT of other itemized deductions like mortgage interest or property taxes, medical expense, etc. to itemize and exceed your standard deduction.

STANDARD DEDUCTION

Many taxpayers are surprised because their itemized deductions are not having the same effect as they did on past tax returns. The new higher standard deduction and the elimination of certain deductions, as well as the cap on state and local taxes have had a major impact since the new tax laws went into effect beginning with 2018 returns.

Your itemized deductions have to be more than your standard deduction before you will see a change in your tax owed or tax refund. The deductions you enter do not necessarily count “dollar for dollar;” many of them are subject to meeting tough thresholds—medical expenses, for example, must meet a threshold that is pretty hard to reach. The software program uses all the IRS rules that apply to the expenses you enter, and it tells you if you have enough to use your itemized deductions or if using the standard deduction is more advantageous for you. Under the new tax laws, some deductions have been capped—there is a $10,000 limit to the itemized deductions for state, local, property and sales taxes.

Your standard deduction lowers your taxable income. It is not a refund.

2019 Standard Deduction Amounts

Single $12,200 (+ $1650 65 or older)

Married Filing Separate $12,200 (+ $1300 if 65 or older)

Married Filing Jointly $24,400 (+ $1300 for each spouse 65 or older)

Head of Household $18,350 (+ $1650 for 65 or older)

Look on line 9 of your 2019 Form 1040 to see your itemized/standard deduction amount

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**

Carl

Level 11

Charitable contributions are but one of many SCH A intemized deductions one can take. But until the total of all your itemized deductions exceeds your standard deductions, those itemized deductions have no impact at all on your tax liability. Additionally:

- At best, a maximum of 50% of your charitable contributions are deductible from your taxable income. The amount you get to deduct depends on your AGI.

- There is a $10K limit on your SALT deductions (State and Local Taxes).

- You are limited to deducting the mortgage interest of the first $750K of the total of all outstanding mortgages on personal property real estate. (This does not include rental property).

For many, it would take something catastrophic for their itemized deductions to exceed their standard deduction. For example, extremely high out of pocket medical expenses.