Tax Question: I am a Big Sister with the Big Brothers / Big Sisters?

Question

of America program (a federally funded program) and I am a volunteer. Are my expenses with this program tax deductible ? All some or none ? I have entertainment, food, gas, clothing expenses.

clothing costs would be clothes i specifically purchased for my little sister. same with food and entertainment

Answer 1

Mileage is deductible. Keep a record of where you travel and for what purpose. Food is deductible when it is related to the mileage.

My instinct is to say that clothing is not deductible - I assume it is given directly to a specific individual.

If by entertainment you mean what you spend on things you do with your sister, this is a tough one. If the mileage is allowable one would think that, logically, the associated costs would also be deductible. However, logic does not always make it into the tax code.

Is there someone in BBBS administration you could ask? A program such as this must have some written guidelines, especially for something that is unique in many ways and which, therefore, presents unique tax challenges.

Answer 2

Your mileage is deductible. If you donate clothing to the children, it is deductible, but not what you paid, the value of the clothing as used. Food and entertainment are not.

Answer 3

hi. i'm a hospice volunteer and receive no repayment. I do take a tax deduction for mileage for using my motor vehicle for hospice applications. I presume you're able to do an identical for huge brother/sister. And thank you for volunteering on your very mandatory provider.

Answer 4

Yes. You file it in charitable contributions. I forgot what the limit is that you can file without receipts. I was in BBBS for over 10 years. Now I'm too old to keep up with them youngsters.