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Level 1
posted Mar 27, 2025 3:10:51 AM

Why are my charitable donations deductions being capped at 30% of AGI when the charity I am donating to is not one of the 30% charities?

I made large donations to charities like Goodwill and Salvation army both of which are typically capped at 50% of AGI but turbo tax is capping it at 30% of AGI and I can't understand why.

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4 Replies
Level 15
Mar 27, 2025 7:01:39 AM

(Removed: I'm not really sure of some of the things I commented on.  Yeah, there  can be some 30% AGI limits applied if it is not actually CASH that you donated)).

Level 1
Mar 27, 2025 1:37:03 PM

Thanks for the response, however I'm still confused. Last year I had a very similar financial situation where I donated a large amount to those same charities and I was able to deduct the full amount which ended up as 45% of my AGI. I don't understand what's different this year... very frustrating.

Expert Alumni
Mar 27, 2025 6:12:45 PM

The 30% limit applies to investments that appreciate in value, such as stocks, you need to make sure you picked the correct category when you entered the contributions:

 

If you contributed items, you need to make sure you checked the proper box on the screen that says Choose a category for this donation. Again, things that appreciate in value will have the 30% of adjusted gross income limitation:

 

Level 1
Mar 27, 2025 6:37:51 PM

Hi ThomasM125 - 

 

This definitely was the answer. The important note being that anything that appreciates in value is capped at 30%. These items were inherited so when turbo tax was asking for purchase price I had entered zero. Therefore any value from the item is considered appreciation and therefore capped (as you noted) at the 30%. 

 

Wish TurboTax did a better job explaining that. It's a simple detail that can make a big difference. At least in my case. 

 

Thanks again for your help!