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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you plan to donate your services to charity this summer? Will you travel as part of the service? If so, some travel expenses may help lower your taxes when you file your tax return next year. Here are five tax tips you should know if you travel while giving your services to charity.<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0You can\u2019t deduct the value of your services that you give to charity. But you may be able to deduct some out-of-pocket costs you pay to give your services. This can include the cost of travel. All out-of pocket costs must be:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0unreimbursed,<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0directly connected with the services,<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0expenses you had only because of the services you gave, and<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0not personal, living or family expenses.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Your volunteer work must be for a qualified charity. Most groups other than churches and governments must apply to the IRS to become qualified. Ask the group about its IRS status before you donate. You can also use the Select Check tool<\/a> on IRS.gov to check the group\u2019s status.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Some types of travel do not qualify for a tax deduction. For example, you can\u2019t deduct your costs if a significant part of the trip involves recreation or a vacation. For more on these rules see Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0You can deduct your travel expenses if your work is real and substantial throughout the trip. You can\u2019t deduct expenses if you only have nominal duties or do not have any duties for significant parts of the trip.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Deductible travel expenses may include:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0air, rail and bus transportation,<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0car expenses,<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0lodging costs,<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0the cost of meals, and<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0taxi or other transportation costs between the airport or station and your hotel.<\/p>\n For more see Publication 526<\/a>, Charitable Contributions. You can get it on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Note. From Issue Number: IRS Tax Tip 2014-06. \u00a0Copyright 2014 by Copyright Holder. Reprinted with permission.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Issue Number:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2014-06 Inside This Issue \u00a0 Do you plan to donate your services to charity this summer? Will you travel as part of the service? If so, some travel expenses may help lower your taxes … Continue reading