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Re: Donating my timeshare (by Gary M.):

donp196 wrote:

Anyone expecting a large right off for donating something that is worthless deserves to to be audited and pay huge penalties and interest. The rule is a simple one. You can only deduct the actual value that the timeshare sold for not one penny more. If it didn't sell that there is no deduction. Just unloading your timeshare should make you happy. Getting greedy will cost you dearly.

I dont agree 100% with everything you said but you did at least separate the issues and made the correct points. Finally, someone that sticks to the facts! I do agree that anyone not abiding by IRS code, as law, deserves consequences. After all, someone not paying their taxes just means the government will raise it on the rest of us (Where have I heard this argument before? but more on that later.) The only thing I think isn’t relevant is “If it didn't sell that there is no deduction.” Probably true but not what CHTs program is about, so a moot point. But that’s another discussion all together and has been discussed ad-nauseum in Redweek.

But what truly is amazing is the assertion that CHT isn’t a charity. I didn’t want to bite but curiosity gave way to discretion and I went on Charity Navigator. They clearly state that if you don’t find the charity you’re looking for: “It simply means that our program team hasn't been able to analyze them yet……” They go on to say theres over 1 million charities in the US and theres many more to do. But prior to finding this ridiculously low hanging fruit, it took me less the 30 seconds to find, (drum roll please) “Community Health Training” via their form 990 Finder. This takes you to the Foundation Center which “is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide”. Sounds like it even beats Charity Navigator that been so often quoted here lately as the definitive source. CN then goes on to say that if the 990 Finder doesn’t do it, what should you do (another drum roll) “If you were unable to find an organization through the 990 Finder, then you should visit the IRS website to confirm that the group is an actual 501 (c ) (3) public charity.” TA-DAAA!! Which my point has been all along. If you want to know if an organization is a charity, GO TO THE IRS! They are not only THE definitive adjudicator, but they will help along the way to tell you if what you’re going to (or not) deduct, is legal by US statutes. They don’t want to cause trouble for you any more then you want it.