Did you donate during Give Local York 2021? Don’t forget your tax break!
- Any cash contributions you made to qualifying charitable organizations in 2021 count toward a special deduction.
When the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 was passed in December 2020, it extended a special but temporary deduction for charitable giving through 2021.
In previous years, deductions for charitable contributions were only available for people who itemize their tax returns. But this special deduction is available for anyone who takes the standard deduction, which the IRS says is nine out of 10 taxpayers.
Taxpayers who take the standard deduction can claim a deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions to qualifying charities made in 2021. Married couples filing jointly can claim up to $600. So if you made a gift on Give Local York Big Give Day last year (and 11,086 of you did!), don’t forget your tax break when you file this year.
What donations are eligible?
Any cash contributions you made to qualifying charitable organizations in 2021 count toward the special deduction. This includes donations made by check, credit card, or debit card. And while the value of volunteer services are not eligible, contributions can include unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses from volunteering with a charity.
Pro Tip
Anytime you donate to charity, remember to ask for an acknowledgment to include with your tax return. This can be a receipt, thank-you letter, or even email response from the organization. When you donate through Give Local York, you receive an email receipt immediately after you make your gift.
Get ready for Give Local York 2022!
Give Local York Big Give Day will return Friday, May 6, 2022, at www.givelocalyork.org.
Donations made through the Give Local York website and in-person donations made directly to nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.