fbpx

Contributions to Foreign Charitable Organizations

Foreign charitable organizations

Can I Deduct Contributions To Foreign Charitable Organizations?

Many of our clients are charitable – oftentimes, their charitable spirit is displayed within their local community (which makes sense, right); with the church or synagogue they attend, local non-profits, etc. We are often asked the question if these contributions to foreign charitable organizations, such as in Sydney, Australia are deductible. Unfortunately, if you make contributions directly to a foreign religious institution or other foreign charitable organizations, you generally cannot deduct the charitable contribution.

However, you can deduct contributions to a U.S. organization that transfers funds to foreign charitable organizations if the U.S. organization controls the use of the funds by the foreign organization or if the foreign organization is just an administrative arm of the U.S. organization.

There are additional exceptions though. But, they are few. Under the income tax treaties with Canada, Mexico and Israel, you may be able to deduct contributions to certain Canadian, Mexican and Israeli charitable organizations. But, generally you must have income from sources in Canada, Mexico or Israel and the organization must meet certain requirements.

As a client of Tax Samaritan, we can assist you with determining whether your contributions to foreign charitable organizations are deductible.

Enjoy More Relevant Tax Articles – Subscribe To The Tax Samaritan Newsletter

If you found this article helpful, you’ll likely benefit from future ones as well – please feel free to subscribe to our free newsletter and don’t miss future tips, advice and news:

If you enjoyed this article, please Google +1 the post. Thank you.

Get Started With A Tax Quote

Tax Samaritan is focused on ensuring that accurate and complete returns are prepared for all taxpayers while paying the lowest tax liability legally possible.

If you would like to discuss the preparation of your tax return, you can request a free, no obligation quote for our services here:

And let us know that you would like a free 30-minute consultation. During this consultation, we will be happy to answer any specific tax questions that you have regarding your personal situation.

Or speak to us live through the chat button on the bottom of your screen or by reaching us directly at 702-350-1040 or “RandallSamaritan” on Skype.

Tax Samaritan is a team of Enrolled Agents with over 25 years of experience focusing on US tax preparation and representation. We maintain this tax blog where all articles are written by Enrolled Agents. Our main objective is to educate US taxpayers on their tax responsibilities and the selection of a tax professional. Our articles are also designed to help taxpayers looking to self prepare, providing specific tips and pitfalls to avoid.

When looking for a tax professional, choose carefully. We recommend that you generally want to hire an Enrolled Agent, such as Tax Samaritan or other professional licensed to practice before the IRS, such as a CPA or attorney. If you are a US taxpayer overseas, we further recommend that you seek a professional who is experienced in expat tax preparation (most tax professionals have limited to no experience with expat taxes).

Randall Brody is an enrolled agent, licensed by the US Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, collections and appeals. To attain the enrolled agent designation, candidates must demonstrate expertise in taxation, fulfill continuing education credits and adhere to a stringent code of ethics.

Every effort has been taken to provide the most accurate and honest analysis of the tax information provided in this blog. Please use your discretion before making any decisions based on the information provided. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for seeking professional tax advice based on your individual needs.

All About Randall Brody
Randall is the Founder of Tax Samaritan, a boutique firm specializing in the preparation of taxes and the resolution of tax problems for Americans living abroad, as well as the other unique tax issues that apply to taxpayers. Here, they help taxpayers save money on their tax returns.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *