Charitable Giving Tax Guide

Below is a charitable giving tax guide for reporting any gifts to charity you make during the tax year.

What is a charitable contribution?

A charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. A charitable contribution is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting to get, anything of equal value in return.

How to report cash charitable contributions?

Your charitable contribution can be in the form of cash or noncash. Cash charitable contributions are entered on line 16 of Schedule A of the tax form 1040 and cannot, in general, exceed 50% of your adjusted gross income or AGI. Excess amounts are carried over to future years, for up to five years.

How to report noncash charitable contributions?

Noncash charitable contributions are reported on line 17 of Schedule A of the tax form 1040. Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, must also be filed if your total tax deduction for all noncash charitable contributions for the year is over $500. Carryovers from prior years are entered on line 18 of Schedule A.

• Charitable Giving Tax Forms
• How to Deduct Charitable Donations?
• Qualified Charitable Organizations
• Charitable Contributions Checklist
• Deductible Charitable Contributions
• Property Donations
  • Vehicle Donations to Charity
• Federal Limit on Deductible Charitable Contributions
• Contribution Records