Just curious, do you claim your church donations on your taxes to the infernal revenue service, or do you not?
2007-11-15 02:23:45 · 12 answers · asked by Jed 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nah, because that would be like taking back what I give to God.
My personal view is that the itemized deduction is like taking back something that I gave up freely. Is it lawful? Sure is, but as a matter of personal principle I feel it would be wrong to get a credit against what is the Lord's.
2007-11-15 02:28:47 · answer #1 · answered by J.R. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we do. Our tithe is a significant amount, and helps us come out better on our taxes, although that isn't why we give it. I feel much better about how our church spends the $$ than I do about the bureaucrats in Washington, so I much prefer giving it that direction. We would give regardless of the tax laws, but it is nice to get the deduction for giving to the Lord. We only claim the amount we give through checks that can be documented, and often give additional love offerings through plate collections, donations to particular church ministries (clothing, toys, food, etc.), so the amount we claim is less than we actually contribute.
Before the days of big-government welfare programs, charities were responsible for almost all of the help provided to needy folks thorugh hospitals, shelters, and other charitable organizations, as well as foreign aid to other countries through mission work.
Am curious about the question--are you trying to imply that this is somehow wrong to take the deduction?
2007-11-15 10:34:50 · answer #2 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I donate occasionally to a church because they have a great food center that serves a lot of people in need (even though I'm not Christian). I don't claim my donations because in order to itemize, my donations would have to exceed my standard deduction and I can't afford that. Otherwise, yeah I would claim them!
Edit: nice answer, JR. That's a nice principle.
2007-11-15 10:29:20 · answer #3 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely.
If you are just givinga few dollars annually, the you dont have to. If you gave a significant amout, like tithing weekly then you should. Ask you church for a reciept if available if not then write checks & use the cancelled checks as your reciepts.
My church tracks the member's contribution for tax purposes. Getting a annual breakdown makes filing taxes a lot easier.
2007-11-15 10:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by *D* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually address my tax checks to either "The Infernal Revenue Service" or "The Eternal Revenue Service".
So far, they've cashed every single one of them...
2007-11-15 10:26:34 · answer #5 · answered by The Reverend Soleil 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Yes, we use to but now we are retired and don't make as much
so we can't. But that doesn't curtail our giving. We grace give
as much as the Lord allows. Also, it's a law that you can claim
it and we should obey the laws of the land. No guilt. It's all
HIS grace!
2007-11-15 10:27:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2007-11-15 10:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by preacher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, but you have to have a reciept from the church. many churches ofer premarked enevelopes for donations, the recipet of which you can use on your taxes.
2007-11-15 10:26:33 · answer #8 · answered by shightfuhk 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I claim all of my contributions to charitable organizations as itemized deductions.
As a tax accountant, it's all good.
2007-11-15 10:26:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
No I don't but I could..Atheists can also claim charitable contributions.
2007-11-15 10:26:17 · answer #10 · answered by PROBLEM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋