Filing taxes & volunteering - what to keep track of?

[Elgin Clock]

I just filed my taxes last night, & I know that you can "write-off" certain expenses while vounteering - although I haven't ever done this.

What kinds of things can you "write-off" while volunteering within the FIRST community?

What kind of records are needed?

Are there certain IRS forms you can use as a guide?

What counts as volunteering?

• Volunteering time on your team - the expenses associated with that (gas mileage, etc...)?
• Competition volunteering efforts - travel (airfare/gas mileage) expenses, hotel expenses??
• Off-seasons - hotel/travel expenses out of your own pocket?

Just wondering if anyone has done this kind of tax paperwork or filing status before & had any tips?

Post here what counts if you have experience with this, or just send me a PM.

Thanks!

[Meredith Novak]

You have to be volunteering for a non-profit corporation (like FIRST and many teams), but you can deduct certain expenses on your Schedule A. So, of course, you must be itemizing your deductions. I will send you a PM with the specifics...I don't want to start giving public tax advice!

IRS Publication 526 has the instructions for volunteer travel, etc.

[Jared Russell]

One thing to keep in mind is that unless you are itemizing your deductions, you cannot "write off" specific volunteering expenses. Generally, you will need to have some considerable write offs (such as a mortgage) before itemizing saves you anything over the standard deduction.

[RoboMom]

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encycloped...ons-29659.html

Pretty good description here.

I do a lot of volunteering and keep records, especially for mileage. These small amounts really add up.

[Wayne Doenges]

I know for a fact that I can claim my mileage when I itemize my federal taxes.
I keep a simple calendar book in my car and record all my miles. I can claim mileage if I go directly from work to the robot shop and than home. 75.3 miles a day adds up
As for any other deductions, I don't know.

[GaryVoshol]

I've logged several thousand miles per year to deduct. Also lodging expenses when I travel to distant events. My tax software queries for the amounts.

You can't deduct food though, even if what you pay for in a restaurant is more than you'd spend cooking at home.

[Stu Bloom]

My first comment - ALWAYS for any tax questions/advice it is most wise to seek guidance from a tax professional.

Second ...

Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges

... if I go directly from work to the robot shop and than home. 75.3 miles a day adds up
As for any other deductions, I don't know.

Wayne, Don't you have to subtract what your normal mileage is from work to home? I thought only "additional mileage" accumulated while volunteering was eligible.

[Wayne Doenges]

Wayne, Don't you have to subtract what your normal mileage is from work to home? I thought only "additional mileage" accumulated while volunteering was eligible.

If I was to stop at home and then go to robot build, than I could only count the trip to and from the shop, but since I go directly to the shop, from work, it all counts. I use a certified tax preparer.

[Koko Ed]

I've been writing off my travel expenses (hotel, gasand food mainly) for the past few years. I use my bank statements to obtain the information of what I spent on actual travel to the event. I have yet to write off my off season event travel because I am not sure if it counts.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I have yet to write off my off season event travel because I am not sure if it counts.

It depends on the organization putting on the off-season. See the link I posted for some criteria. FIRST would not be the organization.