How can I find out if an organization is tax-qualified? What are some examples of deductible contributions?

You can visit the NYS Charities Bureau to search for registered organizations.

Some examples of deductible contributions include:

• Checks payable to qualified organization
• Collection plate contributions substantiated by a charity
• Credit card donations
• Charity benefit events
• Withholding from wages for charitable purposes
• Donations of:
  • Stocks
  • Real estate
  • Motor vehicles, boats or planes
  • Household items and clothing
  • Business equipment
  • Books, electronics, appliances, and furniture

*Please note you should obtain a letter of receipt for any donation over $250 and there are specific rules to each deductible item listed above.

I’m starting a new job and I don’t know how to fill out the W-4 Form so they can deduct from my paycheck. How can I get help?

The W4 Form is used to determine how much federal income tax to withhold from the employee’s wages. The IRS has set up a Withholding Calculator to help ensure individuals do not have too much or too little income tax withheld from their pay.

A qualified vehicle is defined as a car/motor vehicle (used mainly on roads & highways), boats and airplanes.

If you donate a qualified vehicle to a qualified organization and your donation is worth more than $500, you can donate depending on the following scenarios:

• If your vehicle is to be re-sold by a qualified organization, you can deduct the gross proceeds from the sale of the vehicle.
• If your vehicle is to be used by a qualified organization to fulfill their charity work, you can deduct the vehicle’s fair market value on the date of the contribution. You can find your motor vehicle’s worth at Kelley Blue Book.

• For clothing and household items, visit the Salvation Army
• For computers, visit UsedComputer.com

Some typical itemized deductions include:

•  Mortgage and equity interest
• State and local taxes
• Charitable contributions
• Real estate taxes
• Un-reimbursed medical and dental expenses
• Casualty and theft losses (e.g. fire, hurricane, tornado)
• Un-reimbursed job expenses (e.g. job travel, union dues, job education, etc.)
• Gambling losses (to the extent of the gambling income)
• IRA custodial fees
• Investment counsel and advisory fees

*Please note: There are limitations on many of these deductions.

Visit these websites to check the status of your state or federal tax refund. This information is typically available 2 – 3 weeks after you file by mail, or 72 hours after you file electronically:

• Federal
• New York State (link needs to be updated)
• New Jersey
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania