Wish Upon A Hero

Today TaxMama hears from Martha in New Jersey, who found something interesting. “I found a website called
www.wishuponahero.com and I bought some clothes for needy people. Is that a tax deductible including shipping?”

Dear Martha,

This looks like a marvelous venture! I hope it grows and spreads.

All about people helping people directly.

When it comes to taxes, though, I don’t see a deduction here. .From everything I read, you send the money or items directly to the folks who need it.

In order for something to be a charitable deduction, the money or items must go to an accredited non-profit organization. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/index.html

Read Wish Upon A Hero’s About Us page:

https://www.wishuponahero.com/aboutus/

There’s no mention of being a 501(1)(c)(3) status or any other non-profit status.

More odd though, is that on their Frequently Asked Questions page, no one has asked about the deductiblility of these gifts?

https://www.wishuponahero.com/faq/

Looking at the IRS database of non-profits, Wish Upon a Hero is not in it.

https://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78

So, go on and be generous. But it’s purely altruistic. There’s no tax deduction here.

And remember, you’ll find answers to lots of questions about non-profit organizations and other tax information, free. Where? At TaxMama.com