As the end of the year approaches, many people’s thoughts turn to charity. To avoid losing valuable charitable deductions, it’s important to become familiar with substantiation requirements. This brief article details what kind of “proof” is needed, depending on the donation details....
It’s almost holiday season, so taxes probably aren’t top of mind for taxpayers. But along with the festivities, it’s also a good time to consider tax strategies that may reduce this year’s tax bill — and possibly future years’ tax bills as well. Here are...
To support a charitable deduction, taxpayers need to comply with IRS substantiation requirements. But what if the taxpayer never receives a letter from the charity substantiating a donation? This article explains the rules....
Anyone in the process of making a retirement or estate plan, or who intends to donate property to charity, needs to know the value of their assets. For many hard-to-value items — such as closely held business interests, real estate, art or collectibles — an...
For charitable donations of cash and property to be deductible, they must meet certain IRS criteria. This short article discusses some of the basic rules and explains how to determine if the charity is a qualified charitable organization....
The sudden and severe impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has generated an intense need for charitable action. This article outlines tax incentives under the CARES Act for charitable giving and suggests some careful steps to take before donating....
Many people might consider donating their car to charity at year end to start the new year in a fresh ride and get a tax deduction. This brief article urges caution and explains why this strategy doesn’t always work out as intended....
Whether they’re planning to claim charitable deductions on a 2018 return or make donations for 2019, it’s important for taxpayers to know how much they’re allowed to deduct. This article provides details on different types of charitable gifts and discusses concepts to consider when planning...
Every taxpayer with a high degree of wealth shouldn’t let estate tax liability or gift tax liability take their heirs by surprise. This article provides the latest info on estate and gift tax exclusions and exemptions, and explains how to help forecast one’s estate tax...
Many people decide to make donations at the end of the year. When doing so, it’s important to know the rules about whether such contributions will be considered tax deductible for 2017. This brief article discusses two important concepts: delivery dates and qualified charities....