by Gregory S. Dowell

One itemized deduction that taxpayers routinely forget to report are the volunteer expenses incurred on behalf of charity. These are often relatively minor expenses but, in some cases, these expenses can be significant.

It is important to understand that the deduction is for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of a charitable organization. No tax deduction is allowed for the value of the services you perform for a charitable organization; for instance, a taxpayer can not volunteer 5 hours of their time with a charity, value their time at $30 per hour, and take a charitable deduction of $150 for their time. The deduction limitations that normally apply to charitable donations (you may deduct charitable contributions that total to 50% of your adjusted gross income) are in effect. The following are some of the more routinely incurred expenses:

1. Away-from-home travel expenses while performing services for a charity (out-of-pocket round-trip travel cost, taxi fares and other costs of transportation between the airport or station and hotel, plus lodging and meals). However, these expenses aren’t deductible if there’s a significant element of personal pleasure associated with the travel, or if your services for a charity involve lobbying activities.
2. The cost of entertaining others on behalf of a charity, such as wining and dining a potential large contributor (but the cost of your own entertainment or meal is not deductible).
3. If you use your car while performing services for a charitable organization you may deduct your actual unreimbursed expenses directly attributable to the services, such as gas and oil costs. Alternatively, you may deduct a flat 14¢ per mile for charitable use of your car. In either event, you may also deduct parking fees and tolls.
4. You can deduct the cost of a uniform you wear when you do volunteer work for the charity, as long as the uniform has no general utility (e.g., a volunteer ambulance worker’s jumpsuit). You can also deduct the cost of cleaning the uniform.

No charitable  deduction is allowed for a contribution of $250 or more unless you substantiate the contribution by a written acknowledgment from the charitable organization. The acknowledgment generally must include the amount of cash, a description of any property contributed, and whether you got anything in return for your contribution. This presents a problem where you as a volunteer make a contribution on behalf of rather than directly to a charity. One way around this is for the charity to pay for the expenses, itself, and then be reimbursed by you (or you can make the donation before the expense is incurred). If this isn’t possible, you can safeguard your deductions as follows:

1. Get written documentation from the charity about the nature of your volunteering activity and the need for related expenses to be paid. For example, if you travel out of town as a volunteer, get a letter from the charity explaining why you’re needed at the out-of-town location.
2. If you are out-of-pocket for substantial amounts, you should submit a statement of expenses and, preferably, a copy of the receipts, to the charity, and arrange for the charity to acknowledge in writing the amount of the contribution.
3. You should maintain detailed records of your out-of-pocket expenses – receipts plus a written record of the time, place, amount, and charitable purpose of the expense.

Again, the total of out-of-pocket expenses can vary widely, but it is a deduction at least worth considering.