Do I need receipts for donations made to charites?

Question

I made donations to charities at work, but don't have receipts, can I still claim this on my taxes?

Answer 1

You don't need receipts for the past year. However after January 1, you have to get and keep receipts or proof of charitable donations.

Here's an excerpt from an article from the Chicago Tribune:

New federal rules for the 2007 tax year -- which took effect Jan. 1 -- forbid tax deductions for charitable donations unless the taxpayer can prove the donation through receipts or other official financial records.

The rules, enforced by the Internal Revenue Service, require that people claiming charitable donations back up those deduction claims with canceled checks; records from banks, credit card companies or credit unions; or written notices from the charity or not-for-profit institution.

In the past, the IRS has allowed personal notes, diaries or bank registers as sufficient proof that you actually placed those $5, $10 or $20 bills in the basket each week of the year.

Congress approved the new guidelines in August, as an add-on to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which deals mostly with pension and retirement savings. President Bush signed them into law. The new rules cover monetary donations to any charitable institution, not just religious ones.

The changes shouldn't affect the giving habits of people who already donate in church-provided envelopes, with checks, or over the Internet. They can still receive records from the church, bank or credit card company, and present them to their accountant.

Answer 2

You always need a paper trail if you are going to claim a deduction. If you made the donations at work, somebody should be able to give you a receipt

Answer 3

If you don't have proof, then you won't be able to show anything in case of an IRS audit. Ie a cancelled check might work as well. You can see if the charity would be able to provide a copy of the receipt.

Answer 4

It is mandatory you have receipts for anything you wish to write off.

Without any proof is a lie. Try to get a reciept for your donation since you are planning to write it off.

Answer 5

Just ask for a receipt next time.

Answer 6

Yes, you have to have a receipt but most of the time you get to decide what the fair market value is. That's kind of nice.

Answer 7

you probably should for the tax write off