How can I deduct donations from taxes?
January 2, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Wolfgang Lenzner
Dear tax advisor,
my name is Sophia Gruhlke and I have a question regarding the tax deduction of donations. In the past, I have regularly donated to various charitable organizations, but now I want to make sure that I correctly report these donations in my tax return.
So far, I have only received receipts from the organizations confirming the donation amount and the purpose of the donation. However, I am unsure about how to properly report these donations in my tax return and how to ensure that I can also claim the corresponding tax benefits.
I am concerned that I may be doing something wrong and may miss out on tax benefits or even face tax consequences. Therefore, I would like to know from you what specific steps I need to take to deduct my donations for tax purposes and what documentation I need for this.
Can you explain to me how to correctly report the donations in my tax return and what information I should provide? Are there specific forms or evidence that I need to submit? And how can I ensure that I fully utilize all tax benefits?
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Sophia Gruhlke
Dear Mrs. Gruhlke,
Thank you for your question regarding the tax deduction of donations. It is very commendable that you regularly donate to charitable organizations and want to ensure that you can also claim the corresponding tax benefits.
To properly report your donations in your tax return and maximize the tax benefits, there are some important steps you should follow. First of all, it is important that you carefully keep the receipts from the organizations and can present them if necessary. The receipts should include the donation amount, purpose of use, and date of the donation.
In your tax return, you must declare the donations in the "Special Expenses" attachment. There is a corresponding field where you can enter the total amount of your donations. It is important that you do not submit the receipts with the tax return, but only keep them in case the tax office requests them later.
It is also advisable to create a list of donations, listing the individual donation amounts, purposes of use, and recipient organizations. This list can help you keep track of your donations and ensure that you do not forget any donations.
There are no specific forms required for reporting your donations in the tax return. It is sufficient to enter the total amount of donations in the "Special Expenses" attachment. If the tax office requests evidence of your donations, you can present the receipts.
To ensure that you fully utilize all tax benefits, it is advisable to seek advice from a tax advisor. A tax advisor can help you maximize all relevant tax opportunities and ensure that you do not miss out on any tax benefits.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Wolfgang Lenzner
