Making the most of your contributions includes not only finding a charity that's right for you but also knowing about your tax benefits. Colorado Therapy Animals is registered with the IRS as 501(c)(3) organization and has been given tax-exempt status.

 To learn more about this and other related topics, please browse our FAQs below.
 

1.       What does it mean to be a 501(c) (3) organization?
For charities, this means that they can accept contributions and offer donors a tax deduction for their gifts. For donors like you, this means your contributions are fully tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law. The email receipt you receive from Coloradotherapyanimals.org does indeed meet all the IRS requirements as a record of donation.

2.       What is my tax benefit for charitable contributions?
The chart below gives the deduction for a single person in each tax bracket making a cash donation of $100. The instructions for the 1040 Form will help determine the exact amount of your deduction, which will vary depending on your tax bracket and whether you file as a single person or jointly.

3.       What counts as a charitable organization? A charitable organization is generally defined as any nonprofit organization that is incorporated and identified by the IRS as a 501(c) (3) organization. These organizations have been given tax-exempt status and can accept contributions. Coloradotherapyanimals.org itself is a registered 501(c) (3) organization, as well as all of its 850,000 charities.

NOTE: Not all donations to nonprofits can be claimed as charitable deductions, even if the organization is registered as a nonprofit. Check with the IRS on whether or not an organization can receive charitable deductions.

CHARITABLE EVENTS: For a charitable event, only a portion of the ticket value is deductible. The portion that is NOT deductible is the value of the goods or services that you receive (e.g. dinner, entertainment, etc.). The rest is deductible. For example, if you pay $150 for an event, and the benefits received are worth $60, the tax-deductible amount is $90. The charity hosting the event will be able to identify the exact value of the benefits for each event.

4.       How can I take a deduction for my donation? To claim a deduction, you will need to fill out a 1040 Form, which is available through the IRS website, and itemize your deductions on Schedule A. If you fill out the short form or take standard deductions, you cannot claim your contributions.

5.       Do I need a receipt for donations I make? The IRS doesn't require receipts for cash donations under $250, but you should keep donation information on file. Cash contributions of $250 and over require an acknowledgement that must be sent to the IRS with your tax returns. Every time you make a donation through Coloradotherapyanimals.org, that donation is recorded in your Giving History by the year, a feature that makes itemizing your taxes simple and convenient.

6.       Do I need any acknowledgement for donations under $250? Though the IRS doesn’t require receipts for donations under $250, it is a good idea to keep this information on file. Be sure to keep the canceled check, credit card statement, or email receipt from the organization to which you donate. Always note the donation amount, the date of the contribution, and the name of the charity.

7.       For donations over $250, what information does the receipt need? The receipt needs to record the donation amount, the date the donation was made, and the name of the charity, as well as a written acknowledgement from the organization of any property or services that you may have received in return for your donation and an estimate of their value. The IRS should acknowledge an email receipt as an acceptable record of donation, but to be certain, always consult your tax advisor.

When you donate on Coloradotherapyanimals.org, your email acknowledgement will provide the amount, transaction date, and the charity name, all things the IRS wants you to keep a record of when you donate.

You will also have to submit your receipts to the IRS by the due date for tax returns OR by the date you file your tax returns for the year in which you made the donation, depending on which one comes first.

8.       Can I receive a tax deduction for a donation to an overseas nonprofit organization?  If you want to take a deduction for your donation, be sure to donate to a charity registered in the United States. You just have to make sure the charity is registered in the U.S. – as CTA is – if you want to take the deduction.

9.        Can I take a deduction for volunteering my time and services?
You cannot deduct the value of time or services to a charitable organization, but you can deduct any hard costs associated with that volunteering, such as the gas or bus fare it costs to get there. For example, if you volunteer in a charitable hospital and have to wear a uniform, you can deduct the cost of buying and cleaning the uniform. Your friends at the IRS will let you deduct any out-of-pocket expenses you acquire in the course of volunteering.

*Coloradotherapyanimals.org will add to and update its tax information to address even the most specific and complicated questions. While we're in the process of bringing you this information, if you have specific questions, please contact your tax advisor or the IRS publications on charitable giving.

Disclaimer: CTA does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, quality, completeness, or validity of any information it provides. All information has been obtained from sources believed by CTA to be accurate and reliable. Please consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice.

Thank you to JustGive.org