Giving Gives

Persuasions to donate to a charitable cause can easily tug at your heartstrings. In most cases, your generous donations will be used for great causes, however, there are exceptions.   Giving Center , an IRS registered 501 © (3) nonprofit organization, would like to remind donors that it is important to take the time to learn more about the charity you will be donating to,   its programs or missions , and how your contributions will be used. California accounts for nearly one-eighth of all registered charities in the United States. Currently, there are more than 90,000 charities registered in the golden state, making it an important sector of the economy. Some nonprofit organizations receive grants from the government, but more than 80% of the money received by charities comes from individual donors. In California, the term “charity” is applied to tax-exempt, nonprofit public benefit corporations. These organizations have been granted federal and state tax exemptions, has regis...

The California coastline goes on for miles. Such a distance means there are a lot of boats in this beautiful state. All along California, there are thousands of boats sitting in Harbors and marinas not being used. From Lake Tahoe in the north to Lake Elsinore in the south, there  are many popular boating lakes in the golden state.  If you found yourself to be like one of the many California boat owners who are looking for a way to get rid of your boat, a  California Boat donation  may be right for you. Charitable boat donations  are a great way to give back to the community, but the process is not as simple as some may think. With planning, research, and the advice of a trusted tax professional, you can be on your way to making a meaningful impact on the community. The rewards can be two-fold. The  tax deduction  you can receive, in most situations, is more than what you would get for it than by selling outright. Make sure you do your homework whe...

To  donate a car in California,  you first begin by submitting an online car donation form or by calling the charity directly. If you would like to claim the car donation as a  tax deduction , make sure to check that the charity is an  IRS recognized nonprofit organization , like  Giving Center . The process of getting your tax receipt for a charitable donation may vary by the charity. Some charities will email you the receipt while others often have the tow truck hand over the receipt at the time of pick up. Remember, this is just an initial receipt witch will enable you to claim a  tax deduction  of up to $500. Check-in with the charity to find out their procedures for providing you with this receipt when you submit your vehicle donation form. In California, the license plates will remain with the vehicle, so do not remove them before your pickup. File a Release of Liability with the  California Department of Motor Vehicles . This document will ...

For some, donating a home is the ultimate act when it comes to charitable giving.   Home donation   is a single action that can enhance the lives of whole families, possibly creating ripples for generations yet unborn. If you find yourself thinking about making such a significant donation, it is important to do your homework. The benefits of donating your house Donating your house comes with a lot of benefits not only to the charity of your choice but to you as well. Here are important things to consider: Get a major tax deduction:  This one is usually the biggie. You may be able to use the cost basis of your home (the original value when you purchased it) as the amount of your  charitable tax deduction . This will allow you a deduction of up to 60% of your AGI (adjusted gross income). If you decide to take your deduction based on the appreciated value, the value of your home right now, your charitable deductions are limited to 30% of your AGI. It can be a bit compli...

Seaplanes can be great and they can be very practical for places that cannot be reached by road or airport. However, they can be costly to operate. Small land planes can be expensive per passenger mile in comparison with either large airliners and even cars. Seaplanes also have additional operating costs: the floats themselves generally cost about 40% of the price of the airplane, and sheet metal damage is often frequent. Sheet damage can be caused by such things as submerged rocks, docks, and even waves from passing boats. Mishaps are mostly unavoidable solely due to the fact that seaplanes are meant to go where the environment is can not be completely controlled. In addition, seaplanes face salt-water corrosion. Fuel costs (due to higher drag) are also expensive, and seaplanes are not fuel efficient. A Beaver consumes around 22 gal. of gasoline per hour, giving it a gas mileage of 5 MPG. This is comparable to a bus or 18-wheel truck. So if you are thinking of making a ...