Charitable Giving: Keeping Track

It's important to keep track of what you give, to whom and how you give it. Use our printable Charitable Giving Recordkeeper all year long to keep your records up-to-date.

Be particularly mindful of last-minute donations, as you may tend to donate more toward the year's end. Don't let the busy pace of the season cause you to forget to keep good records of your contributions.

For example, if you are delivering Thanksgiving dinners to shut-ins, make sure to log your mileage. Here are some other tips for tracking your charitable giving and keeping IRS-acceptable records:

• For a cash contribution of less than $250: Your cancelled check or other note of payment, such as a receipt you fill out, is sufficient proof. If it's hard cash or say a few coins in a collection kettle, be sure to count it and jot it down later; show the organization, date and amount given.
• For $250 or more to one charity: The organization receiving the donation must provide you with written documentation of the donation. A cancelled check is not enough.>
• For car expenses connected with volunteer work: Keep a mileage log to track your driving expenses. Note other expenses, such as food provided to volunteer workers.
• For non-cash contributions of less than $250: Keep a record of the name and location of the charity, the date and a description of the donated property.
• For non-cash contributions of $250 to $500: Get a written acknowledgement of your donation from the receiving organization.
• For non-cash contributions of more than $500: These require additional detail, and you must complete Form 8283 and file it with your return.

Return to Charitable Giving: The Basics