Filed under: notes
Dear Ms. Theologian:
Have you mentioned charitable contributions that are matched by employers recently?
-Thoughtfully Giving
Dear Thoughtfully Giving,
No, I haven’t mentioned that recently. Please note that many employers will match your charitable contribution. The caveat? You should check the requirements of your employer before giving, because often giving has to be done through the employer or in tandem.
Charitable donations are deductible if the organization qualifies according to the IRS and if you itemize your taxes. If not, well, it’s still a good idea, but it doesn’t have a tax benefit. Check the IRS guidelines on charitable contributions for more.
Not all non-profits are equally good. Use the Charity Navigator to help choose an appropriate charity or to evaluate one of your options. You want to see that much more money is used for programs than for administrative expenses. You can also compare peer organizations.
And, don’t forget to check with your employer for a matching contribution!
-Ms. Theologian