Are there also tax benefits for voluntary work in the income tax return?
December 11, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Tatiana Herrmann
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Thomas Otremka and I have a question regarding my income tax return. I am actively involved in volunteering in my community and I wonder if there are any tax benefits for this. I invest a lot of time and energy in my volunteer work and would like to know if I can claim these activities on my taxes.
Currently, I am unsure if I can include my volunteer expenses in my tax return and if this will have any impact on my tax liability. Since I am not sure which costs I can deduct and how much the potential tax benefits are, I would appreciate your advice and support.
Could you please explain in more detail what tax benefits are available for volunteering in the income tax return and what expenses I, as a volunteer, can deduct? Are there specific requirements that I need to meet in order to take advantage of these tax benefits?
Thank you in advance for your help and guidance.
Sincerely,
Thomas Otremka
Dear Mr. Otremka,
Thank you for your question regarding the tax benefits for voluntary work in your income tax return. It is commendable that you are so actively involved in your community, and I am happy to help clarify the tax aspects for you.
In general, there are indeed tax benefits for voluntary activities that can be claimed in the income tax return. You can deduct certain expenses related to your voluntary work as donations. These may include, for example, travel expenses, material costs, or meal expenses that you incur for your voluntary work. By declaring these costs as donations in your tax return, you can reduce your tax burden.
The deductible amounts depend on various factors. There is a standard volunteer allowance of 720 euros per year that you can claim if you are engaged in voluntary work for at least 200 hours per year. Additionally, higher expenses can also be deducted as donations as long as they are documented and reasonable.
To take advantage of the tax benefits for your voluntary work, it is important that you collect the necessary evidence and receipts. This may include receipts for your expenses or a certificate from your community confirming your voluntary work. These documents should be kept carefully and attached to your tax return when needed.
I hope this information is helpful and answers your question. If you have any further questions or require more detailed advice, I am at your disposal. Thank you for your voluntary work and good luck with your tax return.
Best regards,
Tatiana Herrmann
