Maryland Tax Question - If you donate services, can you write it off? - GoFuckYourself.com

Heath · 01-02-2013, 05:37 PM

I was wondering if I donate my web design services to this animal shelter, will I be able to write it off come tax time as a donation? I'm going to do it regardless, just want to know if I can add this to my taxes for donations so I don't owe this year.

MrCain · 01-02-2013, 06:31 PM

Send them an invoice and money. Tell them to use the money to pay the invoice.

L-Pink · 01-02-2013, 06:34 PM

States usually follow the feds and services of the person filing taxes aren't tax deductible.

Webmaster Advertising · 01-02-2013, 07:31 PM

They could potentially be written off as a loss if you are filing through a business though... /not an accountant take that advice for what it's worth...

Forest · 01-02-2013, 07:34 PM

no you cant according to my cpa

I do about 50k+ a year in billable work for charities and cant write it off

but that would be Federal.

Relentless · 01-02-2013, 07:43 PM

Do not take tax compliance advice from any message board.

96ukssob · 01-02-2013, 07:43 PM

It "can" be done, but requires a bunch of hoops to jump through. Because you are not donating an actual good but a theoritical amount of time, the IRS will likely see this as volunteer work.

There is a bunch of paperwork you have to file and again, it's up to the IRS to decide (if they look into it) it's an out of pocket expense or not.

I had a non-profit ask me to manage some of the AdWords campaigns. They were getting about $7k/mo. of free ads from Google, but wanted someone to help them run it. They said it would be considered a tax deduction, my accountant said its going to be a headache, so I passed on the deal... Which is why I know a little bit about this topic.

One thing to keep in mind is the place you are giving "a donation to" would be subject to NP taxes based on what you "gave" to them.

IMO, I would just do it out of the kindness of your heart and ask them to put your contact info at the bottom of the site and leave a few business cards in the common area.

Heath · 01-02-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossku69

IMO, I would just do it out of the kindness of your heart and ask them to put your contact info at the bottom of the site and leave a few business cards in the common area.

Thank you, based on what you said. I will just do this. Their cause is genuine and I have no problem helping. Was just curious if I could use it as a tax write off.

PornMD · 01-02-2013, 10:43 PM

You'd need to really jump through hoops - otherwise everyone would just make this shit up to avoid paying a chunk of their taxes.

01-02-2013, 05:37 PM	#1
Heath Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 491	Maryland Tax Question - If you donate services, can you write it off? I was wondering if I donate my web design services to this animal shelter, will I be able to write it off come tax time as a donation? I'm going to do it regardless, just want to know if I can add this to my taxes for donations so I don't owe this year. __________________ Email - popuplace [at] yahoo [dot] com

01-02-2013, 06:31 PM	#2
MrCain Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,332	Send them an invoice and money. Tell them to use the money to pay the invoice. __________________ Sigmund

01-02-2013, 07:43 PM	#6
Relentless www.EngineFood.com Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,697	Do not take tax compliance advice from any message board. __________________ Website Secure \| Engine Food ICQ# 266-942-896

01-02-2013, 07:43 PM	#7
96ukssob So Fucking Banananananas Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: If I was in your ass you'd know it Posts: 12,991	It "can" be done, but requires a bunch of hoops to jump through. Because you are not donating an actual good but a theoritical amount of time, the IRS will likely see this as volunteer work. There is a bunch of paperwork you have to file and again, it's up to the IRS to decide (if they look into it) it's an out of pocket expense or not. I had a non-profit ask me to manage some of the AdWords campaigns. They were getting about $7k/mo. of free ads from Google, but wanted someone to help them run it. They said it would be considered a tax deduction, my accountant said its going to be a headache, so I passed on the deal... Which is why I know a little bit about this topic. One thing to keep in mind is the place you are giving "a donation to" would be subject to NP taxes based on what you "gave" to them. IMO, I would just do it out of the kindness of your heart and ask them to put your contact info at the bottom of the site and leave a few business cards in the common area. __________________ Email: Clicky on Me

01-02-2013, 10:43 PM	#9
PornMD Mainstream Businessman Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 9,291	You'd need to really jump through hoops - otherwise everyone would just make this shit up to avoid paying a chunk of their taxes. __________________ Want to crush it in mainstream with Facebook ads? Hit me up.

01-02-2013, 06:34 PM	#3
L-Pink working on my tan Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida/Kentucky Posts: 39,151	States usually follow the feds and services of the person filing taxes aren't tax deductible.

01-02-2013, 07:31 PM	#4
Webmaster Advertising So Fucking Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,360	They could potentially be written off as a loss if you are filing through a business though... /not an accountant take that advice for what it's worth...

01-02-2013, 07:34 PM	#5
Forest Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Hollywood Fl. Posts: 8,988	no you cant according to my cpa I do about 50k+ a year in billable work for charities and cant write it off but that would be Federal.