Contributions

Are parishioners allowed to deduct mileage, (hospital visits etc) and the cost of food/clothing donated to other parishioners?

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Mileage for Charitable Services Rendered
by: Marcus in Texas

I recently attended a tax seminar and learned that the rate for reimbursement for mileage if an individual is volunteering to make deliveries or use her / his personal vehicle on church "business" is currently limited to $0.14/mile. Not sure what it will be in 2011. This rate is set by the IRS or US Treasury Department---not sure which. However, the travel should be on behalf of the charitable organization and not an individual going to visit a sick person or a family in need of help on a strictly person-to-person visit.

Contributions to Benefit Individuals
by: Marcus in Texas

Mr. Collins is correct........generally speaking, nothing that is given or expended for the benefit of any specific person would be considered deductible.

Contributions
by: Phil Collins

Mileage is an allowable charitable deduction if you use your car to provide services to a charitable organization. If the charitable organization directs you to deliver food/clothing to individuals, the mileage is deductible. If you decide and act on your own to deliver food/clothing to individuals, it is not deductible.

Deducting the cost of food/clothing donated to other parishioners:IRS Publication 526
Contributions to individuals who are needy or worthy are not deductible. This includes contributions to a qualified organization/church if you indicate that your contribution is for a specific person. But you can deduct a contribution that you give to a qualified organization that in turn helps needy or worthy individuals if you do not indicate that your contribution is for a specific person.
Example. You can deduct contributions for flood relief, hurricane relief, or other disaster relief to a qualified organization. However, you cannot deduct contributions earmarked for relief of a particular individual or family.

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