Deducting donations from your taxes: here is how
Those who do good are relieved for tax purposes: donations to charitable, benevolent, or religious organizations can be deducted from taxes. What matters is the right confirmation and proof.
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What you should do now
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1. Check the recipient
Is the organization tax-privileged (charitable/benevolent/religious)? Only then is the donation deductible.
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2. Secure proof
Keep the donation receipt or, for small amounts, the account statement.
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3. Enter it in your tax return
Enter the donations as special expenses (Anlage Sonderausgaben).
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4. Use the carry-forward
If the donation exceeds the maximum limit, you can carry forward the rest to later years.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my donation can I deduct?
Donations to tax-privileged organizations are deductible as special expenses up to 20% of the total amount of your income (§ 10b EStG). Donations that exceed this limit can be carried forward to later years. The requirement is that the recipient is tax-privileged.
Do I always need a donation receipt?
Not for smaller amounts: up to a small-amount limit, simplified proof such as the account statement or the booking record is enough. For larger donations you need a donation receipt from the organization. Keep the proof in case the tax office requests it.
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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.