Timing of Contribution Deduction

[JohnH]

Yes, Harlan, mission trips outside the US are tax deductible. But speaking for myself, I would go even if the tax deduction were eliminated entirely, as would most of those whom I accompany. Occasionally one of them seems surprised when I mention the tax deductibility. And I'm grateful the Apostle Paul didn't limit himself to the "charity begins at home" philosophy.

[Burke]

The mission trips my client-church is involved with are to the Dominican Republic. They go every year for a week or 10 days. One of their former pastors has lived there for 3 years, and he does not get to deduct his living expenses as charitable deductions.

[taxxcpa]

One consideration is a question as to how many of these people are really needed to carry on the work. Maybe one or two are really needed, but if the trip is for a large group and everyone who comes up with the cash is allowed to go, it begins to look like a vacation trip. Also, if they all go for a two-week trip--it implies that their services are not really needed, otherwise there would be something more like a year-around need for these volunteers. Aren't local volunteers available? If local volunteers are available, why spend all that money and expect the IRS to subsidize the trips?

[JohnH]

If someone is really that easy to convert back and forth, no real conversion took place to begin with.

[JohnH]

That one is covered. I have gone with groups as small as three, and as large as thirteen. The scope and reach is expanded in proportion to the size of the group. Within reason, our only limitation is the size of the group going. Everything else we do emanates from that.