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

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Comments for Contributions

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Oct 05, 2010
 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.
Oct 06, 2010
 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.

Dec 28, 2010
 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.

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