Iowa City

Are Go Fund Me contributions deductable?

When my clients and I are going over their qualified charitable contributions, they often tell me they’ve made many contributions via “Go Fund Me”.

GoFundMe is a website that allows people to list a ‘needed’ cause and request contributions from others throughout the world. Common requests include illness and accident victims, but also other ‘needs.’ In addition to the 5% that GoFundMe deducts from each transaction, WePay collects 2.9% and $.30 from each GoFundMe transaction.

Donations to these funds are NOT deductible unless they are made to a qualified charitable organization. The IRS sets this list and it’s available for the public eye.

If the recipient of the funds receives more than $20,000 they will receive a 1099-K from the site. That amount is reported on Line 21 of the federal 1040 form then deducted the same amount as non-taxable gifts received and attach an explanation that it was personal gifts from individuals funded through the GoFundMe website.

Top Three Questions I Get Asked from CPA Clients…and the answers!!!

Question #1 – Why should I share my bank account information with the government to get direct deposit?

  1. It’s faster – 9 out of 10 refunds issued by direct deposit are issued in drastically under 21 days. Paper check is issued within 30 days.
  2. It’s as safe as it can be – This same direct deposit system is used to deposit nearly 98% of all social security and veterans affairs benefits into millions of accounts.
  3. It saves you money – It costs the nation’s taxpayers more than $1 for every paper refund check issued, but only a dime for each direct deposit made.
  4. Direct deposit reduces the possibility that your check could be lost or stolen or returned to the IRS as undeliverable.

Question #2 – What’s the best way to save tax dollars?

  1. Maximize your 401k or employer contribution retirement plan equivalent.
  2. 401k/403b/457 contribution limit is $18,500 in 2018. If you are age 50 or over, the 2018 catch-up contribution limit is $6,000 Employer match or profit sharing contributions aren’t included in these limits. 401k and 403b share the same limit.

Question #3 – Mileage is so difficult to track, I just don’t do it. How much am I really giving to the government by not tracking miles?

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2018, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

  1. 54.5 cents for every mile of business travel driven, up 1 cent from the rate for 2017.
  2. 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, up 1 cent from the rate for 2017.
  3. 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Best Method to track it –MileIQ app. https://www.mileiq.com/ Try it and get 20% off »use discount code: BPET842A when they buy an unlimited plan.

Free tax consult valued at $270 to new clients!    Message me to schedule!