Charitable Donations

[arlington]

Made donations to various organization...paid with cash...did not request receipt but documented on taxes. Didn't think I would eventually end up filing. How often does this come up or does the trustee ask about this?

[TomJ1]

Since charities almost always only accept checks, I can't imagine what legitimate "charities" you donated undocumentable amounts of cash to while at the same time not paying creditors.

[arlington]

I don't think churches care if you submit cash or checks.

[CindyLou]

are we talking under 250?

[jec]

donations

my us trustee wanted proof of charitible donations. Number one check out the rules that have changed as far as proof if you are putting this on your taxes.

as far as the bankruptcy they will want to see proof and a pattern if they think they can disallow it (you can only put it in the budget if you have a pattern of giving)

I furnished them prooff for this year last year and the previous year just so they could not say i made it up

[arlington]

my us trustee wanted proof of charitible donations. Number one check out the rules that have changed as far as proof if you are putting this on your taxes.

as far as the bankruptcy they will want to see proof and a pattern if they think they can disallow it (you can only put it in the budget if you have a pattern of giving)

I furnished them prooff for this year last year and the previous year just so they could not say i made it up

Ok. Thanks. I am not including it in my schedule form though.

[lrprn]

Ok. Thanks. I am not including it in my schedule form though.

The current amendment to the bankruptcy law regarding church donations allows up to 10% of your income to go to tithing. It's best to be able to show a pre-existing, regular donation pattern before filing.

[FeelingHopeless]

Well, our situation was different ... but yes ... the judge did bring up charitable donations in our case.

We have a United Way fund drive at work each year ... and each year I had about $2 taken out of each paycheck. Now ... before you laugh ... I know that makes me sound like a cheap bastard! haha But by doing it that way, I donated over over $50 ... and didn't miss it.

In any case ... the judge recognized that it was May and that I couldn't stop the deductions until the next fund drive ... but he reminded me that any "extra" money I had should be going for my family and not for voluntary contributions.

So, I haven't signed up for the last five years ... but I'm looking forward to joining again. I've always wondered what their policy is on church donations ... I don't go to church regularly ... but most people tithe if they attend, right?

[arlington]

The current amendment to the bankruptcy law regarding church donations allows up to 10% of your income to go to tithing. It's best to be able to show a pre-existing, regular donation pattern before filing.

Thanks LRPRN. I listed the amount on my tax return because did 10% but we didn't request receipts because we aren't members of any one church. We paid cash (obviously wasn't thinking about the future). We are not listing it on our schedule J form though (I think that's the right one) because we haven't given much this year...if any...so there really isn't a pattern for this year. Was just wondering if this was going to come up even though we aren't listing it.

[arlington]

Well, our situation was different ... but yes ... the judge did bring up charitable donations in our case.

We have a United Way fund drive at work each year ... and each year I had about $2 taken out of each paycheck. Now ... before you laugh ... I know that makes me sound like a cheap bastard! haha But by doing it that way, I donated over over $50 ... and didn't miss it.

In any case ... the judge recognized that it was May and that I couldn't stop the deductions until the next fund drive ... but he reminded me that any "extra" money I had should be going for my family and not for voluntary contributions.

So, I haven't signed up for the last five years ... but I'm looking forward to joining again. I've always wondered what their policy is on church donations ... I don't go to church regularly ... but most people tithe if they attend, right?

Hey FH. $2 is better than nothing. I'm currently doing $5 a month via payroll but like you said I can't stop it right now until December.