Linux @ Ten

[plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]

My response is as an Enrolled Agent, licensed to practice and represent
taxpayers before the IRS in appeals, conferences, exams (audits): Most of
the time the answer is 'it depends'

On Fri, 3 Aug 2001, Derek Neighbors wrote:

> Um I dont think that is valid information, but I would check with a tax
> advisor.  If you gave money to NPO and NPO put on the event that is tax
> deductable.
> 

The deductibilty of the above is questionable. The amount of your
charitible contributions must be reduced by any value received. In other
words, if you contribute $10 and receive $10 worth of food, no deduction
is available.  There are other limits that individuals must reach before
this even begins to matter (If you don't itemize now, you probably
shouldn't worry about any tax benefit from this)

> If you bought the food and brought to the event that is 'possibly' tax
> dedcutible.
>
More questionable- this is a social event, not a fund raiser, although it
could be changed to be a fundraiser with some minor work. Of course if the
NPO is not valid and paperwork is not complete this could also be a moot
point.  They must be recognized as a 501(c)3 before contributions are
deductible.


> Mileage for non profit work I believe is NOT deductible as well as time.
> So if you go to an NPO event (say a tradeshow) you couldnt deduct your
> mileage to drive there and deduct your hourly rate as a donation.

Mileage, actual expenses such as parking etc., yes. Subject to being able
to itemize. The value of your time, the value of 'rent' not charged for
meetings, etc. no.

> 
> HOWEVER, if you drove there and gave NPO your gas reciept they could
> reimburse you.  You could then donate equal money to them for general
> purposes and have it be deductible. :)
> 
> Moral of the story.  Donate to the NPO. :)
> 
See your tax advisor if the tax consequences matter to you. Donate to
causes you support regardless of whether you can get a break from Uncle
Sam.

I will quietly put away my soap box now.
Patrick

> -Derek
> 
> On Fri, 3 Aug 2001, Tom Achtenberg wrote:
> 
> > Yes, if the NPO puts on the event, "donations" to it are tax deductable as is milage driving to it.  Of course you need to check with your tax advisor.
> > 
> > ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> > From: Todd Hought <thought@scudder-enterprises.com>
> > Reply-To: plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> > Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 13:35:21 -0700
> > 
> > I'm all for the pot luck thing, I might just bring ribs or some other of my 
> > concoctions.
> > Kiwanis park is a bit out there, I'm partial to the GCC location, or maybe 
> > something downtown.
> > if the NPO puts on the picnic, could everything be defined as a 'charitable 
> > donation'? :-)
> > -T
> > 
> > On Friday 03 August 2001 00:26, you wrote:
> > > > The pot luck thing would be great. Hmm, maybe we should write a free
> > > > software recipe database for the picnic... :)[1]
> > >
> > > I definatly think that we need to have some sort of page that lets people
> > > get an idea of what types of things are already being brought.  Nothing
> > > specific, I would just hate to see another pot luck like my last family
> > > reunion where everybody brought a potato based main dish.  It was actually
> > > kinda funny.
> > >
> > > Hans, the permagirf and I brought tortilla de patata, so you would have
> > > been just fine hehehe
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
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