Can You Claim Tax Deductions For Charitable Roundups?

THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Over the weekend I had one of those thoughts that if you donate to charity could you write off the entire expense as a charity write-off. Here's what I found out.

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It seems like you can't shop just about anywhere without them asking if you'd like to round up the total cost to the nearest dollar with those extra cents going to charity.

Drive-thru restaurants, charity thrift shops, grocery stores, and other places all seem like they ask if you want to round up so instead of getting change back that change goes to the charity of that store's choosing.

Let's say your purchase is $9.25 and they ask if you want to round up to $10. Can you write off that $10 since some of it went to charity?

Charity and Non-Charity Expenses

There are some charity thrift shops in Yakima that are considered nonprofit. Though just because a business is nonprofit, that doesn't mean it doesn't make any money.

If you went to a charity thrift shop that sells items, if you bought an item, though that money goes to the nonprofit shop it's still not considered a charity donation as you received something in return for that purchase.

If you donated money to that charity shop or even donated items, that could be considered something you could claim on your taxes.

So what does all that have to do with if you can round up for charity and write off the whole purchase?
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Can You Claim Your Entire Purchase if you Round Up for Charity?

The quick answer is no, no you can not.

You can, however, write off the money you rounded up if you want to itemize everything on your taxes, though so many people just go for the standard deduction.