Charitable contributions to an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity can only reduce your tax bill if you choose to itemize your taxes. Generally, you'd itemize when the combined total of your anticipated deductions—including charitable gifts—add up to more than the standard deduction.
Contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax deductible, meaning that—if you itemize—you can deduct the amount of your donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations from your taxable income.
Donate to a qualifying organization Your charitable giving will qualify for a tax deduction only if it goes to a tax-exempt organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Before you donate, ask the charity how much of your contribution will be tax-deductible.
Example 2: Individual Acknowledgment Letter Hi donor name, We're super grateful for your contribution of $250 to nonprofit's name on date received. As a thank you, we sent you a T-shirt with an estimated fair market value of $25 in exchange for your contribution.
You can qualify for taking the charitable donation deduction without a receipt; however, you should provide a bank record (like a bank statement, credit card statement, or canceled check) or a payroll deduction record to claim the tax deduction.