Charity Donations - Pay from Personal or Business Account to Maximize Return?

[ladyindian1405]

I have direct sales businesses and I make donations to charity. If I want to ensure I get the maximum return on my taxes, where should I make these personal charity donations from, my personal account or business account?

[AnnetteB6]

If you are a sole proprietor reporting your business income and expenses on Schedule C, then your charitable contributions will be reported on Schedule A Itemized Deductions no matter which account you use to make the donation.  

An exception to this would be if you received a business benefit in return for your donation.  For example, if you donated money to a charity event as a sponsor and in return your business was promoted in the event program.  Then your donation could count as a business expense on Schedule C instead of a donation on Schedule A.

If possible, you would most likely get more benefit from being able to take a business expense deduction.  You just need to be strategic with your donations.