I donated X dollars to a church I recently joined but always give cash. There is no way to prove to the IRS how much I gave. Only God and myself know this. Can I report this X amount on my 2006 return?
2007-02-01 14:55:24 · 4 answers · asked by Hopeless 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
You can report it, and deduct it....however, if you are ever audited, they will disallow it and you'll owe tax and penalties on the difference.
Why not just start taking a check with you to church from now on?
The church won't might if you leave a paper trail. God won't mind, either.
2007-02-01 15:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you're making donations, you should always have some paper trail to go along with it. You can probably report this on your tax return and the IRS will most likely not audit you (they only audit .05% of all returns...I took that straight from my Tax 1 textbook in college). But only itemize (that means claim your donations as deductions) your deductions if the total sum will be greater than the standard deduction. The standard deduction for 2006 is around $5000, I think. If you donated more than that, then go ahead and itemize.
2007-02-01 15:02:52 · answer #2 · answered by The JZA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually if the donations are of any consequence the church is required to provide you with a receipt to verify that you did not receive anything of value in return.
Value being used here in the secular sense not, you know... spiritual.
2007-02-01 16:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by Nusha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can
2007-02-01 15:03:59 · answer #4 · answered by Happy_Wheatland 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋