Time for Eric

[Corduroy Frog]

I set up a reminder to donate a small sum to Eric for the benefit I receive from this website.  It is a paltry sum compared to bringing questions to the group and getting knowledgeable answers from people whose expertise far exceeds my own.  I'm sure many of you will do the same before year-end.

I am wondering, however, about the deductibility of such an amount.  It is not a donation freely given with nothing of substance being expected in return.  In my opinion, there is a great deal of substance returned (whether required or not).  It could possibly be a business expense (such as a membership) rather than a Schedule A contribution.  Perhaps I should not tarnish the conversation by combining the tax consequences with the greater message.  I can promise I am not trying to deduct millions of dollars...

[artp]

Procedure to make donation to Eric?

[jklcpa]

12 hours ago, Corduroy Frog said:

I am wondering, however, about the deductibility of such an amount.  It is not a donation freely given with nothing of substance being expected in return.  In my opinion, there is a great deal of substance returned (whether required or not).  It could possibly be a business expense (such as a membership) rather than a Schedule A contribution.

It is certainly not a Sch A charitable contribution deduction. If you feel it is ordinary, necessary and customary and are inclined to make it a deduction, it would be more appropriate as a business expense. Pick the category for which you feel it most closely fits your situation best, in other words is it: professional development that would include continuing education and learning, dues/subscriptions/memberships, software & its licensing if your use is more closely is associated with setting up and utilizing the tax software, books/library/research type items, miscellaneous?

[jklcpa]

2 minutes ago, artp said:

Procedure to make donation to Eric?

At the top of the forum, you should see a "Donate" clickable word. That will take you to the appropriate area, fill in the data, pick the amount and whether it is a single amount or recurring, and choose the payment method. Continuing on through the checkout, if you would rather mail a check instead of using credit, Eric's address will be displayed at some point in that checkout process.

[artp]

Thanks Judy. Found it.

[Catherine]

This forum is far more useful to me than some of my professional subscriptions; I log the expense there. It's listed as a "Donation" here, but in my mind it's 1005 subscription. If I (we) don't pay, it goes poof. It's far too valuable to let that happen, as long as Eric is willing to keep it up for us!

[JohnH]

Sometimes I think I need to consider it a medical expense due to the therapeutic benefits provided by this group. 

[Christian]

This applies to me as well.