Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/424535
WASHINGTON The Inter- nal Revenue Service today reminded individuals and businesses making year- end gifts to charity that sev- eral important tax law pro- visions have taken effect in recent years. Some of the changes taxpayers should keep in mind include: Rulesforcharitable contributions of clothing and household items Household items include furniture, furnishings, elec- tronics, appliances and lin- ens. Clothing and house- hold items donated to charity generally must be in good used condition or better to be tax-deductible. A clothing or household item for which a taxpayer claims a deduction of over $500 does not have to meet this standard if the tax- payer includes a qualified appraisal of the item with the return. Donors must get a writ- ten acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more. It must include, among other things, a description of the items contributed. Guidelines for monetary donations A taxpayer must have a bank record or a written statement from the char- ity in order to deduct any donation of money, regard- less of amount. The record must show the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contri- bution. Bank records include canceled checks, and bank, credit union and credit card statements. Bank or credit union statements should show the name of the charity, the date, and the amount paid. Credit card statements should show the name of the char- ity, the date, and the trans- action posting date. Donations of money in- clude those made in cash or by check, electronic funds transfer, credit card and payroll deduction. For payroll deductions, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, a Form W-2 wage statement or other docu- ment furnished by the em- ployer showing the total amount withheld for char- ity, along with the pledge card showing the name of the charity. These requirements for the deduction of monetary donations do not change the long-standing require- ment that a taxpayer obtain an acknowledgment from a charity for each deductible donation (either money or property) of $250 or more. However, one statement containing all of the re- quired information may meet both requirements. Reminders The IRS offers the fol- lowing additional remind- ers to help taxpayers plan their holiday and year-end gifts to charity: Qualified charities. Check that the charity is el- igible. Only donations to el- igible organizations are tax- deductible. Select Check, a searchable online tool avail- able on IRS.gov, lists most organizations that are eli- gible to receive deductible contributions. In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to re- ceive deductible donations. That is true even if they are not listed in the tool's da- tabase. Year-end gi s Contributions are de- ductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of 2014 count for 2014, even if the credit card bill isn't paid until 2015. Also, checks count for 2014 as long as they are mailed in 2014. Itemize deductions. For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deduc- tions on Form 1040 Sched- ule A can claim deductions for charitable contribu- tions. This deduction is not available to individuals who choose the standard de- duction. This includes any- one who files a short form (Form 1040A or 1040EZ). A taxpayer will have a tax sav- ings only if the total item- ized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable con- tributions, state and local taxes, etc.) exceed the stan- dard deduction. Use the 2014 Form 1040 Schedule A to determine whether item- izing is better than claim- ing the standard deduction. Record donations. For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and a rea- sonably-detailed descrip- tion of the donated prop- erty. If a donation is left at a charity's unattended drop site, keep a written re- cord of the donation that includes this information, as well as the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation and the method used to deter- mine that value. Additional rules apply for a contribu- tion of $250 or more. Special rules The deduction for a car, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value is more than $500. Form 1098-C or a sim- ilar statement, must be pro- vided to the donor by the or- ganization and attached to the donor's tax return. If the amount of a tax- payer's deduction for all noncash contributions is over $500, a properly-com- pleted Form 8283 must be submitted with the tax re- turn. TAX TIPS Year-endgi s to charity The Mount Lassen Chap- ter California Native Plant Society will offer the fol- lowing activities for De- cember and January. All events are free and open to the public. General Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Chico Public Library Dr. Rob Schlising, CSU Chico Biology Professor Emeritus will give a pre- sentation "After the Spring Show: Summer Plant Life in Vernal Pool Land- scapes." Middle Bidwell Park, Dec. 2 Meet at 10 a.m. at the trail head where Centen- nial Avenue and Chico Can- yon Road join at their east ends. Bring water, lunch and cool weather gear. The group will walk along Big Chico Creek to the start of the Yahi Trail while looking for mushrooms to identify. Rain cancels. Leader: Gerry, 530 893- 5123. Maidu Rock Shelter, Upper Bidwell Park, Jan. 1 Meet at 10 a.m. at Horse- shoe Lake Parking lot E with water, lunch and cool weather gear. This will be about a 3.5- mile scramble up the north rim and then down to a cave with 25 befrock mortars and a small wa- terfall. Rain cancels. Leader: Wes, 530 342- 2293. For more information, visit mountlassen.cnps. org. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER Native plant society activities for December, January SACRAMENTO The Bu- reau of Reclamation, Na- tional Marine Fisheries Service and federal and state partner agencies have released an assess- ment detailing the ability of two major tributaries to Shasta Reservoir to sup- port the spawning, rear- ing and migration of Chi- nook salmon. The Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation Final Habitat Assessment con- tains results of surveys of the McCloud River and up- per Sacramento River and provides a comparison of habitat for each river sys- tem. The assessment is avail- able for download at http:// www.usbr.gov/mp/BayDel- taOf fice/Documents/ Shasta_Fish_Passage/in- dex.html. Methodology and key results of the surveys will be presented during a sub- committee meeting of the Interagency Fish Passage Steering Committee 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. The public, riverine land- owners and other inter- ested parties are invited to participate in the meeting, which will be held via webi- nar. To attend the meeting via webinar, register at the following link: attendee. gotowebinar.com/regis- ter/63640095752776449. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing informa- tion about joining the we- binar. The Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation is a joint effort of Reclama- tion, NMFS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Califor- nia Department of Wa- ter Resources, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Water Resources Control Board and the University of California. The project is part of Reclamation's response to the NMFS June 4, 2009, Biological Opinion on the coordinated long-term op- eration of the Central Val- ley Project and State Wa- ter Project. The BO concluded, in part, that CVP and SWP operations were likely to jeopardize the continued existence of salmonids pro- tected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The BO outlines a Rea- sonable and Prudent Alter- native that obligates Rec- lamation to evaluate the feasibility of reintroduc- ing federally listed salmo- nids upstream of Shasta, Folsom and New Melones dams. The Habitat Assess- ment will assist in the de- velopment of approaches to reintroduce Chinook salmon. A Draft Environmen- tal Assessment for the Pi- lot Implementation Plan is scheduled for a 30-day public comment period in January 2015. Comments received will be consid- ered for inclusion in the Final Environmental As- sessment and will contrib- ute to the completion of the Pilot Implementation Plan. The Pilot Implemen- tation Plan will describe how the feasibility for fish passage at Shasta Dam will be evaluated. For contacts and addi- tional information on the Shasta Dam Fish Passage Evaluation, visit www. usbr.gov/mp/BayDeltaOf- fice/Documents/Shasta_ Fish_Passage/index.html. Shasta Dam fish passage assessment released BUREAU OF RECLAMATION CHIPTHOMPSON--DAILYNEWS Shasta Dam The Habitat Assessment will assist in the development of approaches to reintroduce Chinook salmon. George'sMountain Choose&Cut CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 30min.fromRedBlufftoFarm Open Daily thru Dec. 18th $ 5 00 OFF WITH THIS COUPON Onapavedroad,3200ft.elev.(belowthesnowlevel) (Up To 8 ft.) • SILVER TIP • WHITE FIR • DOUGLAS FIR $ 44 65 WITH COUPON POTTED BLUE SPRUCE OPENS FRI., NOV. 28 th BRING YOUR CAMERA AND HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH SANTA WEEKEND OF DEC. 6 & 7 AdayafterThanksgiving (530) 713-8350 Hrs: 9am-4pm FREE TREE for disabled vets FromRedBlufftake Hwy 36 East 20 min. to Payness Creek. Turn on Plum Creek paved road 8 miles to the farm. 365S.MAINST,REDBLUFF 527-2720 • www.lariatbowl.com Lariat Bowl & Miniature Golf Join us for FUN Dec. 3 rd 2pm to 7pm Lassen House Assisted Living 705 Luther Rd, Red Bluff •Drivethroughtoydropoff • Refreshments • Music • Young Marines will be present • Cal Fire Dog Make a Donation Come have some fun and bring a toy JobDeveloper neededtodevelopvocationalopportunitiesforpeoplewith disabilities within their community. Other duties: Monitor Job Methods, Standards, and Time Studies to Dept. of Labor Standards. Experience in Job Development or Sales and Marketing. 40 hours per week $9.45 per hour with benefit package. Must be (25 years old +) must be insurable, pass drug screen- ing/negative TB test, DOJ background check and health screen. Apply at North Valley Services 1040 Washington Street, Red Bluff, CA by December 4th MARK W. BRIDEN AttorneyatLaw Bankruptcy is our specialty. 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