I volunteer as a USA swim official, can I enter the related expenses (milage, lodging and volunteer hours) into my tax return?

[dino0477]

I spent a lot of time volunteering at USA swim meets, can those hours, miles and lodging cost be deducted, and if so how do I enter them?

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

Yes.  USA Swim is a 501c3 qualified non profit organization.  This means, if you itemize your return, you would be able to deduct milage, lodging and other actual out of pocket expenses incurred while volunteering for the organization.  However, you cannot claim volunteer hours, even if you are a professional, you cannot claim anything for your actual time. 

To enter them select the following:

1. Federal
2. Deductions and Credits
3. Charitable donations
4. Donations to Charity

For 2025, if you do not itemize your return, you cannot claim a deduction for the expenses related to your volunteer work.  

Itemized expenses include mortgage interest, gambling losses within limitations,  charitable contributions, state and local taxes up to $40,000, medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of your AGI and federally declared casualty and losses.  

Then your total itemized expenses would need to be greater than your standard deduction below in order to benefit from your expenses. 

The 2025 Standard Deductions are as follows:

• Married Filing Joint (MFJ)              $31,500
• Married Filing Separate (MFS)      $15,750
• Head of Household (HOH)             $23,625 
• Single                                                 $15,750                                

Blind or over 65 and MFJ or MFS add $1,600

Single or HOH if blind or over 65 add $2.000

Standard Deduction vs. Itemized Deductions: Which Is Better?