Q&A of the Week September 20, 2023

Question

I want to make a tax-deductible donation. How can I be sure that charity is real and that I am not being scammed?

Answer

Unfortunately, this is a valid concern as many scams involve requesting donations for fake charities or scammers posing as employees of legitimate charitable organizations. Here are a few things you can do:

1. Research the charity before giving a donation!

2. Use the Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool from the IRS to confirm the charity is real and may qualify for a tax-deduction.

3. Get a receipt for your donation - and keep it somewhere safe.

4. Confirm the amount on your receipt matches the amount on your bank or credit card statement.

5. Do not make a donation in the form of gift card, cash, or wire transfer.

If you have tax-related questions about your donation, contact a trusted tax professional.