Financial Dictionary
charitable contribution deduction
- An itemized income-tax deduction for donations of assets to Internal Revenue Service-designated organizations. Certain qualifications on this deduction apply, such as a contribution limit of 50% of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Of particular interest to investors is the option to donate appreciated property (that is, securities that have increased in value since acquisition) and to deduct the entire market value of the donated assets without being obligated to pay taxes on the capital gains. Donations of appreciated property may subject the taxpayer to the alternative minimum tax.
