Tax Issues (Development)
Charitable Giving
American Alliance of Museums
Museums depend on charitable gifts for more than one-third of their operating funds, and especially in this economy have seen a decline in contributions. We support efforts to extend and expand incentives for charitable giving and are concerned about any proposed limitations because they would have a chilling effect on the ability of museums to attract donations and therefore serve their communities.
Congress Takes a Hard Look at Charitable Giving: How Will Museums Fare?
American Alliance of Museums
Congress is currently considering proposals that would limit the deductibility of charitable contributions. This recorded, online advocacy program explains the impact of tax reform on museums, explores how other proposals would expand and strengthen charitable giving incentives, and outlines how to be an effective advocate on these issues.
Fighting for Philanthropy
American Alliance of Museums
Museum magazine shares insight on current proposals to reduce charitable giving tax incentives and the impact it will have on museums. The article also provides a good summary of all of the proposals.
The Entrepreneurial Museum: Some Legal, Tax and Practical Perspectives
Hurwit & Associates
Hurwit & Associates offers an article provides an overview of laws relating to nonprofit commercial ventures. The article was originally published in New England Museum Association News.
Adjusted Items, 2013
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) adjusts nearly three dozen tax items annually using the Consumer Price Index. The 2013 amounts (PDF, 11 pages) may be found in Section 3. See in particular item 14: “Insubstantial Benefit Limitations for Contributions Associated with Charitable Fund-raising Campaigns”.
Publication 526: Charitable Contributions
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website provides access to several relevant publications and forms (PDF) that can be helpful to donors. Publication 526: Charitable Contributions addresses contributions of property, insubstantial benefits (e.g., newsletters, free parking, free admission), fair market value, unrelated use, appraisals and bargain sales.
Publication 1771: Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website provides access to several relevant publications and forms (PDF) that can be helpful to both institutions and donors. Publication 1771: Charitable Contributions-Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements helps explain, in layman’s terms, the federal tax law for organizations that receive tax-deductible charitable contributions and for taxpayers who make contributions.
Designing and Documenting Charitable Gifts
Planned Giving Design Center
The Planned Giving Design Center shares an article that addresses potential problems with designated gifts and suggests ways to craft the charitable gift agreement to avoid practical and tax implications that both the donor and the nonprofit would like to avoid.