How do i claim church donations on taxes? Do i have to itemize? What forms do i need? Please help?

Question

I need to know how to do church donations on taxes, do i have to "itemize"? What does that mean? What forms do i need? Any infomation will help, thanks

Answer 1

You will need to itemize your deduction for Church donations. They will go on Schedule A.

You can only benefit from itemizing if sum of all your deductions exceeds the standard deduction of your filing status.
$5150 for Single
$10300 for Married Filing Jointly
$7550 for Head of Household

For the tax year 2006 (this year), IRS will allow your personal record as a proof for your donation. Starting next tax year, IRS requires that tax payer be able to provide receipts for all cash and non-cash donations. So make sure that your church will provide you with a receipt or use a check (then you can use the cancelled checks as receipts).

Best wishes.

Answer 2

your church should send you a statement indicating how much you donated.

If you made donations on a weekly basis (i.e., each Sunday during services), just use your best, honest estimate. You don't need a receipt or a form. However, if you indicate a high percentage of your income was given to a church (more than 20%) you may get audited, and if you don't have a receipt or statement from the church, your deduction will be disallowed.

And yes, you will list the deduction on Schedule A.

Answer 3

If you have enough donations and other deductions, Mortgage interest, Work expenses etc. then you will want to itemize your deductions, Use form 1040A most likely. If you do not have more than the statndard deduction (not sure the exact amount for the standard deduction) then you will just use form 1040 EZ and not worry about your deductions.

Answer 4

SSI is not income. Since you don't pay tax, you wouldn't get a tax break for making donations.

Answer 5

ITEMIZE ONLY WAY..

UNLESS YOU HAVE HOME INTEREST AND LOT OF MEDICAL
BILLS THE STANDARD DEDUCTION WILL MORE THAN COVER YOU.