Contribution to Minister

[Burke]

Member of congregation pays for annual membership to country club for church's minister and has done this for years. Legitimate tax deduction?

[BOB W]

I'm under the impression that ALL charitable contributions have to be made to the churches "General Fund" with NO earmarks as to where it is to go in order to get a deduction.

[Jiggers]

Bob W is correct. The donation has to go directly to the church.

Besides, this doesn't fit the test of being a donation to a qualified organization.

There is no cancelled check to the qualified organization or a receipt from them.

Therefore, there is no question about it being deductible.

See Pub 17.

[JON]

Not even close

This is no way a conbtribution. Did he get the qualifying letter from the conutry club saying it was a donation. I had a lady that worked for me whose brother was a minister and one of his congregation gave him a boat for summer time use. She said she never asked why.. the ownership remained with the person not the minister.

[Burke]

I agree with all the posters. No deduction. OTOH, is it reportable income to the minister? Or considered a gift?

[BOB W]

Probably a gift.

[FEDUKE404]

Class FAIL

I would love to see what kind of IRS-acceptable donation receipt the country club could create for this gratuity !!

(May I safely assume the "gift" was likely a fairly substantial amount of money, each year, for apparently several years?? That donor might have a tax problem!!)

FE

[BOB W]

13,000 per yr allowed, no problem........................

[FEDUKE404]

Huh ?

13,000 per yr allowed, no problem........................

I thought Burke's post was about a tax deduction and not about any annual gift tax limit ??

FE

[Burke]

Well, my second question was whether it was considered income to the minister. Or a gift. I know it does not come under the tax-free fringe benefits such as health ins, etc.