Your Volunteer Work Could Be Worth Thousands (If You Know What to Deduct)

Keywords: charitable deductions, volunteer tax strategies, IRA giving, tax planning 2025, nonprofit donations
Category: Tax Planning for Individuals

Intro:

Martha volunteered for Meals on Wheels for 12 years. She never claimed a single deduction.

When we fixed it? She cried. And cashed a very large check.

Too many generous people give their time, money, and miles without realizing that those contributions can actually provide meaningful tax savings. If you're volunteering—especially for IRS-recognized nonprofits—you might be missing out on thousands in deductions.

What You Can (and Can’t) Deduct as a Volunteer

Let’s get one thing straight: you can’t deduct your time. But many of the expenses associated with volunteering are deductible—if you track them correctly.

Here are a few commonly missed deductions:

1. Miles Driven for Charity

• Volunteer mileage is deductible, but not at the business rate.

• Congress hasn’t updated the charitable mileage rate since 1998—it’s stuck at 14 cents per mile.

• However, with the right strategy, you may be able to deduct more.

2. Supplies You Purchase

• Items you buy for a nonprofit event, classroom, or fundraiser? Those are deductible.

• This includes printing, decorations, snacks, and more.

3. Travel Expenses

• Did you travel for a charitable cause? Hotel, airfare, and meals may be deductible if there's no significant personal vacation involved.

4. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs

• If you’re 70½ or older, you can give up to $108,000 directly from your IRA—tax-free.

• This counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and reduces your taxable income.

📅 Deadline Alert: All deductions must be finalized by December 31st. Unclaimed miles, receipts, or QCDs vanish forever after that date.

The Big Problem: Bad Advice or No Advice

Most tax preparers skip these deductions—or apply them incorrectly.

They might:

• Miss the mileage details

• Forget supply receipts

• Ignore QCD options

• Fail to ask the right questions

That’s why we created The Volunteer Tax Strategy Session.

Fix It Before Year-End

I’ve identified 17 hidden strategies for volunteers that most tax professionals don’t talk about. These aren't loopholes—they’re legal, IRS-approved deductions you deserve to use.

But knowing which ones apply to you—and how to document them properly—is what makes all the difference.

✅ Book your Volunteer Tax Strategy Session and you’ll also get our Charitable Deduction Tracker FREE ($97 value).

Don’t Let Another Year Slip By

Martha waited 12 years. She got $4,700 back—but only after we amended her returns. Don’t let that be your story.

Let’s optimize your generosity and make sure you’re not overpaying taxes while doing good.

👉 Schedule your session today: https://link.sharoneasoncpa.com/widget/bookings/sharon-eason-15-minutes-discovery-callk715ht