Randall Posted February 2, 2020 Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 Client went on a church mission. Out of pocket costs for flight, lodging, meals. I assume costs for himself but not for the family are deductible. How is this reported on the Form 8283? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee B Posted February 2, 2020 Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 The Tax Book says to "report unreimbursed volunteer expenses as cash contributions. Do not report them on Form 8283." Pub 526 probably has more details on this. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Was the family ALSO on the mission trip - or hanging out vacationing? If they were doing mission work, their expenses would count. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max W Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 If the expenses exceed $250, a written letter is needed from the charity and whether or not the charity provided any goods or services to the volunteer. And needless to say, the volunteer has to keep good records. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted February 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Thanks for comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Possi Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 7 hours ago, Max W said: If the expenses exceed $250, a written letter is needed from the charity and whether or not the charity provided any goods or services to the volunteer. And needless to say, the volunteer has to keep good records. Really? If the expenses are treated the same as cash, why would you need this? I thought their personal receipts documented as charitable are sufficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion EA Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 ...because donor must obtain a receipt from the charity for donations of $250 or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) Max W is stating the general rule for cash contributions, but there are other rules concerning contemporaneous records too, and there are instances where a receipt from the charity itself for certain expenditures may not be possible, just like in the OP's example of someone traveling for missionary work. The travel cost is clearly related to the charitable work, yet the funds were not paid to the charity itself where any substantiation could ever be obtained, yet the deduction is valid. A good summary is found here on the IRS site: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/substantiating-charitable-contributions Edited February 3, 2020 by jklcpa added images 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 From pub 526. Note that "best practices" at the bottom suggest that travel expenses should be paid through the donor organization but that not doing so does not preclude the deduction of expenses. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richcpaman Posted February 4, 2020 Report Share Posted February 4, 2020 If you went on a Missionary Trip on Behalf of a Missionary Charitable Organization, why wouldn't they give you an acknowledgement? Even if that acknowledgement states simply "Thank you for going!" And paying your own way... Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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