Out-of-pocket charitable contributions

No one can overlook the big charitable gifts you have made during the year, whether they were made by check or payroll deduction. However, all these little things might add up, too, and you could end up writing off out-of-pocket costs that took place while you were doing all those good deeds.

I think that what I’m about to say will cheer you up! For example, ingredients for casseroles you made consistently for a qualified nonprofit organization’s soup kitchen, or even the cost of stamps you bought for your school’s fundraiser ALSO COUNT as a charitable contribution. If you used your car on charity time, you can deduct up to 14 cents per mile.