Bay Area Tax Attorneys – Money or property that you donate to “qualified” charitable organizations can be included in your itemized deductions as a charitable contribution. But what is a “qualified” charity? The IRS provides an on-line search for qualified organizations.

A qualified charitable organization will fall into one of the following categories:

• Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other religious organizations.
• Federal, state, and local governments, if your contribution is solely for public purposes. This generally includes local government, public schools, Indian tribal government, and governments of U.S. Possessions.
• Nonprofit schools and hospitals.
• Nonprofit volunteer fire companies, public parks and recreation facilities, and civil defense organizations.
• Organizations organized and operated for charitable purposes, such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, United Way, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, March of Dimes, etc.
• Certain organizations that foster national or international amateur sports competition.
• War veterans’ organizations, including posts, auxiliaries, trusts, or foundations organized in the United States or any of its possessions.
• Domestic fraternal societies, orders, and associations operating under the lodge system.
• Certain Canadian and Mexican charities allowed by treaty – however, generally to deduct your contribution you must have income from sources within the country.