TaxMama Logo TaxMama Logo
TaxMama Logo TaxMama Logo
TaxMama Logo TaxMama Logo
TaxMama Logo TaxMama Logo
Ask TaxMama.Com
Tax Information With A Mother's Touch

Published by Eva Rosenberg, MBA, EA
Resources For Tax Pros Tools FAQs Relax Site Search
This Week's Issue
arrow Tax Mama Was Wrong!
Get the real answer here:
Blood & Guts II
arrow Wrong ID Number
arrow Sometimes Accrual
arrow Landed Gentry
arrow Fly By Day
arrow Eating In Shifts
arrow Employee vs. Consultant
 
IRS News
arrow Lifetime Savings Accounts
(A Proposal
by President Bush)

arrow Retirement Savings Accounts
 
Money Funnies
arrow Making A Living
In Los Angeles
 
Investment Secrets
Tootin` Her Own Horn
Free Workshops
Previous Issues
Our Privacy Policy
line
E-Mail 
This Page To A Friend
Your email:
Your name:
TO email:
Blood & Guts II
line


Last week, we had this question about donating blood:

» From: Durham, NC

Dear TaxMama,

I donated blood to the Red Cross 6 times in 2002. I know I can't deduct the value of my time but can I deduct the value of the blood?

Red Cross sells my blood for $85-$250/unit.

Thank you.

Larry

» See TaxMama's Reply (which was wrong)

<A Tax Pro Responds>

Hi TaxMama:

Regarding the question about the deductibility of blood donations to the Red Cross in your last news letter.

No, No deduction is allowed.

See page 168, lower left under Value of Time and Service of IRS Pub 17 where it says:

"You cannot deduct the value of your time or services including: Blood donations to the Red Cross or to blood banks,and..."
Best wishes.

Fred W. Fetner, Jr.
Retired IRS Agent
Fetner's Tax Service
Rock Hill, S. C. 29732-1510
wyse@cetlink.net


<Another Pro Provides a Suggestion - if you're selling the blood>

Larry from Durham, NC, asked about blood donations.

There is a somewhat related case where a taxpayer with a rare type sold blood, reported the income, and was allowed to deduct the cost of special food and nutrional supplements to effectively fortify and replenish the blood supply in so far as those costs exceeded costs of normal food!!!

Steve Odem
odem@concentric.net


<Another Pro has a creative approach>

Per Rev Rul 162 and several cases, a donation of blood is merely a rendition of services rather than a gift of property and is therefore not deductible.

Even without this Rev Rule, at best it would be a gift of short term capital gain property or self produced property, since your blood is replaced in your body frequently(I don't have time to look this up) and the contribution deduction would thus be limited to basis. Only long term capital gain property gets the benefit of a Fair Market Value charitable deduction.

Nikki Sandars, CPA, EA
American Express Tax and Business Services
Los Altos, CA 94022
nikki.x.sandars@aexp.com



TaxMama's Honor Plan
Turbo Tax Online
line

Because We Care line

Bring Humor to your working life - I-Laugh line

Click Here
to
Subscribe
to the
Internet's
Help Desk
line

Turn your favorite photo into a painting on canvas - Photo Masterpieces line

Hi! Support TaxMama Pets and Seniors
Click to Pay
Amazon Honor System
Learn More
line

Print a printer friendly version of this issue


Library of Congress - 
ISSN 1532-0790
Copyright © 2000-2003 -
Eva Rosenberg
Subscribe | Ask TaxMama ~ Send Her Your Questions | Site Search
Home | This Week's Issue | Articles by TaxMama | For Tax Pros
Investment Secrets | IRS News | Smart Tax Moves | Critical Dates
Using Money Wisely | Money Funnies & Inspiration | Because We Care
About TaxMama | Our Privacy Policy | Legalese and Disclaimer |
Serenata Design
Certain graphics on this site were created especially for TaxMama by Serenata of Serenata Design. Site design & maintenance by Serenata Design.