Volunteer Work People who volunteer their time and expertise believe they have something valuable to offer. So, you may find it distressing that your services, expert though they may be, are worth a tax deduction of precisely zero. This rule is not unique to volunteer work; in fact, it is consistent with other tax laws. With only rare exceptions, the general rule is that you must spend cold, hard cash or give away stuff before you may claim a deduction.
However, you may deduct many of the expenses you incur for volunteer work, including:
For information on all types of tax deductions you may qualify for in retirement, see Nolo's Essential Retirement Tax Guide, Your Health, Home, Investments and More, by Twila Slesnick (Nolo).
However, you may deduct many of the expenses you incur for volunteer work, including:
- the cost of hosting a party or fundraiser for the organization
- advertising that you buy on behalf of the organization
- supplies you purchase to be used in volunteer work, such as stamps and stationery
- the cost of a required uniform (and the cost of keeping it clean), and
- telephone expenses.
For information on all types of tax deductions you may qualify for in retirement, see Nolo's Essential Retirement Tax Guide, Your Health, Home, Investments and More, by Twila Slesnick (Nolo).