Marvin..."But I guess that is just more big government intrusion and control."

Marvin, good morning sir, care to elaborate? Gip

Gibson Brown:

good morning sir, care to elaborate? Gip

Of course Gip...be glad to.

Starting with tax year 2007, the IRS instituted a requirement that all itemized charitable contributions regardless of amount must be documented by a receipt or a canceled check.  Previously only gifts above a certain amount ( I think $25 or $50, but don't remember for sure) had to be documented.  In addition, only gifts to recognized or approved charitable organizations can be deducted.  That basically prevents taking a deduction for money given to help an individual or family directly.  One more requirement...any gift of $250 or more must have written confirmation from the receiving charity.

Now, like my wife sometimes does, some would say that considering the tax benefits of contributions takes away the good feeling of helping.  I agree that is partly true.  But remember that, for a person or family in a 33% tax bracket, giving $15 that is tax deductible cost no more than giving $10 that is not deductible.  (And don't forget to consider both federal and state taxes when determining your bracket.)

I would rather give that entire $15 to a charity that I believe in than to give them $10 and give the other $5 to the governments (state and federal.) 

Marvin Foster:

Unlike Joe, I do get a good feeling from contributing to causes I feel strongly about.

Marvin,

I fear that I left a wrong impression.

As I mentioned last night, my Untied Way activities are hedonistic--that is, I do it because gives me pleasure.  I also contribute altruistically to causes such as the ACLU, local societies to protect non-human species, NPR, and PBS.  In all cases, though, I contribute anonymously^* because I don't want my personal info ending up in the huge, shared Database O' Charities, which quickly results in my mailbox filling up or my phone ringing with solicitations from other charities.

^*This is suprisingly difficult to do--short of getting a money order or a cashier's check.

Joe Campbell:

In all cases, though, I contribute anonymously^* because I don't want my personal info ending up in the huge, shared Database O' Charities, which quickly results in my mailbox filling up or my phone ringing with solicitations from other charities.

Joe,

You are certainly right there.  It seems like we get thousands of solitations from charities I never heard of.  Most go directly to file 13 without even being opened...unless they send address labels.  I must have two lifetimes supply of those!!!!

But that's the price I have to pay in order to take the tax deductions.

Clonnie Yearout:

The patient's insurance and/or Medicare may pay all or part of the transport, but often no one pays, and the city has to eat the bill. Think of the $350-plus fee as a way to cover the cost of transporting all patients, rich and poor, insurance or no insurance, critical and non-critical.

Marvin Foster:

But that's the price I have to pay in order to take the tax deductions.

My taxes are calculated and filed for me by a tax accountant (a life-long friend and sometimes business parterner) who claims ALL my contributions.  If I send a check or money-order, I just keep a photocopy for the records.  I include my Untied Way donations (which seldom exceed a couple of hundred bucks), under Miscellaneous Deductions as "ad hoc charitable cash contributions."   I was audited by IRS in 2003, and when I explained the Untied Way, the auditor just grinned and moved on.

To see the extent to which charities have become lucrative businesses, just google "charity database."

E. Duane Howard:

.Anyway, I'm quite the computer dummy and can find no such thing as "Preferences"   under the Tool bar, wherever that is supposed to be, lmao !  Frankly, I'm bewildered as to why everyone can't post in larger print to begin with?  Is that really so complicated to ask?   I'm sure there has got to be hundreds of people who do not bother to read this weekly panel due to the small print.  I personally regret not being able to keep up and follow along with all you great panelist and your inspiring and at times, humorous dialogue.....(note also that spell check does not work when typing directly on this site) I'm humbled to be among such a great group of intelligent, well written as all of you are

E Dwayne Howard , Try this. If you're using Internet Explorer, go to the View button ,click on it. On the drop down menu you'll see Zoom in. Click to the highest magnification you're comfortable with. My vision isn't all that great and I can read it from 5 feet away.

E. Duane Howard:

The City does not eat the bill.....!  It will be turned over to a collection agency....  The city only "eats the bill" when one is aware that they can apply for charity care write off based on income level.

bobchristenson:

My vision isn't all that great and I can read it from 5 feet away.

Ricky:

bobchristenson:

My vision isn't all that great and I can read it from 5 feet away.

You must have very long arms.

LOL Ricky,  My arms are normal but my mouse has no tail. ( wireless)

E. Duane Howard:

.Anyway, I'm quite the computer dummy and can find no such thing as "Preferences"   under the Tool bar, wherever that is supposed to be, lmao !  Frankly, I'm bewildered as to why everyone can't post in larger print to begin with?  Is that really so complicated to ask?   I'm sure there has got to be hundreds of people who do not bother to read this weekly panel due to the small print.  I personally regret not being able to keep up and follow along with all you great panelist and your inspiring and at times, humorous dialogue.....(note also that spell check does not work when typing directly on this site) I'm humbled to be among such a great group of intelligent, well written as all of you are

1. For the last few years, every version of Internet Explorer and Firefox have simple built-in text magnifiers. To change the text size, just hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and simultaneously press either the '+' or '-' key. Each key-press makes the font larger or smaller, respectively.
    
2. More generally, most versions of Windows have a wonderful magnification feature that enables you to create a on-screen "magnification window." The area surrounding your mouse pointer shows up in the mag window. The amount of magnification is adjustable. 

bobchristenson:

LOL Ricky,  My arms are normal but my mouse has no tail (wireless).