An "Off-the-Wall" Question about Charitable Contributions

[Beth]

Please don't laugh too loudly at what I'm about to propose...

Is the YMCA a charitable organization?

Isn't it a tax-deductible donation when you contribute to a charitable organization from which you've received no goods or services?

Ok - here's the pitch...

I've been paying a monthly membership fee to our local YMCA for the ENTIRE year for my DH, and he has YET to step foot into the place...

Could I possibly deduct those payments as a "charitable contribution?"

Told you it was stupid...

 

[EROS]

Not a tax attorney, but I'll take a crack at it. You haven't been making a DONATION to the YMCA (which WOULD be tax-deductible). You've been paying for SERVICES, which unfortunately your DH has not utilized.

I'd cut my losses and CANCEL his membership .........

 

[tar heel]

The problem is that you have received goods and services (membership), he just chose not to use the benefits that came with it.

 

[Lucky4me]

We pay $70 a month for a family membership. It's not tax deductible. You can make contributions above and beyond your membership that are deductible, but I suppose that would defeat the purpose of why you were asking in the first place.

 

[Steve H.]

Ditto the other's comments -- as long as you get value for your donation, it's not a donation. For example, if you go to a benefit dinner, only a portion of what you pay for the ticket is a charitable donation (it'll say on the ticket), the rest is payment for dinner.

 

[KimRaye]

Sorry to 'but'-in but, when DS attended the Y for day camp/day care, I was given a tax form for right-off purposes for what I paid. This is in no way what you're referring to but, I'm in a 'but-in' mood tonight. Just giving you an idea of when it might work, with the Y anyway.

sorry

 

[Cindy B]

I work for a YMCA.. here is how I was told.


Memberships/services...


Daycare/our onsite daycare was regulated/licensed by the state and had the certain certifications that the daycare was considered deductible.. although there were some limitations.

 

[Steve H.]

Daycare / childcare providers are a different type of writeoff than charitable contributions.

 

[Bob NC]

Originally posted by KimRaye
Sorry to 'but'-in but, when DS attended the Y for day camp/day care, I was given a tax form for right-off purposes for what I paid. This is in no way what you're referring to but, I'm in a 'but-in' mood tonight. Just giving you an idea of when it might work, with the Y anyway.

sorry

This expense would be utilized in figuring a Child Care Tax Credit.