Also you can point out the Salvation Army list of suggested
values for used clothing and appliances or furniture on the
internet.

Nan, EA in LA

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Simple Steps Can Help Taxpayers with Charitable Donations

IR-2003-134, Dec. 1, 2003

WASHINGTON -- As the end of the year approaches, the Internal Revenue
Service reminds taxpayers that they may be able to use their gifts to
tax-exempt charitable and religious groups to reduce their taxes.

Taxpayers also need to keep in mind some simple steps to make sure they
get appropriate benefit for their generous donations. In particular, there
are some important guidelines for donating used cars and other property,
such as stocks and bonds.

The tax benefit for charitable contributions is only available for
taxpayers who itemize deductions - about one-third of all filers. Those
who take a standard deduction receive no additional tax benefit for their
contributions.

In 2000, the last year for which complete data is available, about 37.5
million taxpayers made deductible charitable contributions totaling nearly
$140.7 billion. Of these gifts, nearly $98.2 billion were cash donations.

Only contributions actually made during the tax year are deductible. For
example, if you pledged $500 in September but paid the charity only $200
by Dec. 31, your 2003 deduction would be $200. You include credit card
charges and payments by check in the year they are given to the charity,
even though you may not pay the credit card bill or have your bank account
debited until the next year.

Those itemizing deductions reduce their taxable income by the total
contributed to qualified tax-exempt organizations, with some limits. The
tax saving usually equals the deduction times the marginal tax rate - the
top rate for the person's income level.

For example, an individual with a taxable income of $50,000 donates $2,000
to his or her church. The tax savings from this generosity will be $500 --
$2,000 times the taxpayer's marginal tax rate of 25 percent.

Donations of stock or other property are usually valued at the fair market
value of the property. For stocks and bonds with an active market, the
fair market value is the average price between highest and lowest selling
price on the valuation date. Figuring the value of other personal property
can be more complicated.

For example, determining the value of a donated used car requires weighing
several factors. Some car donation program operators have mistakenly
suggested that donors can take as a deduction the full value listed in an
established used car pricing guide. For additional information, see IRS
News release 2001-112, "IRS and State Charity Officials Urge Care When
Making a Car Donation."

The tax law, however, allows a deduction for only the fair market value of
the car. Fair market value takes into account not only the year, the model
and the mileage of the car, but also the local market and the vehicle's
condition. As a result, the fair market value of the taxpayer's car may be
substantially different than the average price listed in an established
used car guide.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers to keep appropriate records to substantiate
the value of their gifts. For example, for any single gift of $250 or
more, a taxpayer must have a written acknowledgement from the charity by
the earlier of the date the person files the tax return or the filing
deadline, including extensions. A person donating property valued at more
than $5,000 must obtain a qualified written appraisal.

Taxpayers can find help regarding the donations they make in IRS
Publication 526, "Charitable Contributions." A second reference, IRS
Publication 561, "Determining the Value of Donated Property," answers many
of the questions that donors have when they make noncash contributions.
Both publications are available at the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, or by
calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

* IR-2003-134 -- http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...118196,00.html

"Jack" - John H. Fisher - TaxService[at]aol.com
Philadelphia, Pa - Atlantic City, NJ - West Wildwood, NJ
My Newsgroups & Boards at: http://members.aol.com/TaxService/index.html

Where Ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise!=

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