Charitable Contributions is not what it used to be!

In an attempt to clamp down on abusive charitable deductions, the IRS has introduced new restrictions on charitable contributions. All cash contributions made after August 17, 2006 to a qualified charity must now be supported by a dated receipt or a dated bank record. If you donate clothing or household items instead of cash, no deduction will be allowed for most contributions unless the donated property is in "good" condition or better. These new restrictions require even greater documentation than ever before. When making a contribution to a non-profit group or charity, be sure to note specifically what items are being donated. If possible, you may also want to take photos of the items to document their condition, and ensure your deduction will be allowed by the IRS come tax time.