Does buying a Christmas tree from a boy scout troop qualify as a tax deductible donation?

[dsbartlett21]

I bought a Christmas tree from a boy scout troop and was wondering if that is considered a tax deductible donation? If it is not, I did, however, pay a certain amount for the tree but wrote the check for a little more as a donation to the troop, is the extra considered tax deductible?

[RichardG · Accepted solution]

You can deduct the amount you paid for the tree over and above the average retail price for a similar tree.  So if you wrote a check for $100 and a similar tree sold for $75 at a local retailer, you can deduct $25.

[SweetieJean]

and the same for Girl Scout cookies!