Hi, I'm Richard from TurboTax with tips for charitable deductions.

One, in order for your charitable donations to qualify for a deduction, your donation

must be to an organization qualified under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

You can check if the organization is exempt using the Exempt Organizations Select Check

Tool on IRS.gov.

Most donations to places of worship, international relief organizations and war veterans groups

are deductible.

Cash, property, stock and even clothing and household items can be written off.

Two, make sure you have a canceled check, a bank record or a receipt from the charity

as donations of any amount require documentation.

If you donated by phone, you can use your phone bill as proof, if it lists the name

of the charity, the date and the donation amount.

If your donation was for $250 or more then you will need an acknowledgement letter from

the organization.

Three, know what doesn't qualify for a tax break.

Donations to civic leagues, clubs, chambers of commerce, homeowners' associations, political

campaigns and lobbying groups, and most foreign organizations aren't eligible.

If you don't know if a donation qualifies, call the charity or visit IRS.gov.

For more information about this and other tax topics visit TurboTax.com.

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