Yes. The IRS may not check every donation receipt, but it's best to operate as if it does. You want to be ready if the IRS decides to check your records. Incomplete records could mean disqualification of your tax-exempt status.
Ing to the IRS, any kind of donation above $250 should require a donation receipt. The same applies to stock gifts/donations.
Proof can be provided in the form of an official receipt or invoice from the receiving qualified charitable organization, but it can also be provided via credit card statements or other financial records detailing the donation.
In order to take a tax deduction for a charitable contribution to an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity, you'll need to forgo the standard deduction in favor of itemized deductions. That means you'll list out all of your deductions, expecting that they'll add up to more than the standard deduction.
Individuals, partnerships, and corporations file Form 8283 to report information about noncash charitable contributions when the amount of their deduction for all noncash gifts is more than $500.
A nonprofit CRM that allows you to record in-kind contributions helps to simplify the tracking process. With a CRM you're able to record the gift, its value, date received, and attribute it to a specific donor. You are also able to upload documentation that supports the value of the donation.
With an Excel template or dedicated nonprofit database software, tracking donations and issuing donation receipts has never been easier. Tracking donations is often required by the IRS, but it can also help your nonprofit create a strong foundation of financial knowledge.
The accepted way to record in-kind donations is to set up a separate revenue account but the expense side of the transaction should be recorded in its functional expense account. For example, revenue would be recorded as Gifts In-Kind – Services, and the expense would be recorded as Professional Services.
The receipt can take a variety of written forms – letters, formal receipts, postcards, computer-generated forms, etc. It's important to remember that without a written acknowledgment, the donor cannot claim the tax deduction.