If I donated money to charity wouldn't i get money back on my taxes?

[Vanessa · Accepted solution]

Not necessarily. Charitable donations by themselves will not create a refund. If you donated money to charity in order to receive a tax benefit you would need to itemize your expenses.  To do this cash donations (limit of 50% of your AGI), plus mortgage interest, property taxes, medical expenses in excess of 7.5% of your AGI, job-expenses in excess of 2% of your AGI, plus the rest of your Schedule A deductions would have to be greater than your standard deduction.  

The standard deductions are based on your filing status and are as follows

• Single or Married Filing Separately   $6,350
• Married Filing Jointly   $12,700
• Head of Household    $9,350

So, if you donated money to charity and all of your itemized expenses were not greater than the standard deduction for your filing status you would not see a benefit for this. Charitable donations that exceed 50% of your AGI are able to be carried forward. 

Additionally, if your taxable income is already at $0 you would not see a benefit from a donation as it will not take your taxable income any lower.