Tax deductable mission work

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
January 26, 2022
7 replies
47 views

Am looking for advise on deductions for working with a qualified charity on a mission trip for three months

ColeenD3

Level 15

Please see this answer by Fern.

Yes, expenses incurred while on a medical missions trip would be deductible if the following conditions are met:

• Generally, you can claim a charitable contribution for travel expenses incurred while you are away from home performing services for a charitable organization. However, you cannot have any significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel.

• You can take a charitable contribution deduction for your travel expenses if you are on duty in a genuine and substantial sense throughout the trip. However, if you have only nominal duties, or if for significant parts of the trip you don't have any duties, you can't deduct your travel expenses.

• You can deduct your contributions only if you make them to a qualified organization. Most organizations other than churches and governments must apply to the IRS to become a qualified organization.

lbonawitzAuthor

Level 2

With regard to travel expenses, not only did we incur airfare but we had significant in country travel via train bus and auto along with hotel expenses meals and translator expenses. Is there a place to itemize expenses such as these?

AmyC

Level 15

As long as you meet the rules, you will just make a deduction for charity. For your records, charity can be broken down in case of audit. These are considered cash donations.

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