There has been quite a lot of discussion within the charitable, nonprofit community, about the possible loss of contributions to their organizations in 2018 due to a higher standard deduction.

Organizations are afraid that people will think that since they won’t be able to itemize their deductions, there is no reason to “be charitable.” I find that hard to believe, since I’m of the opinion that we should give to organizations that we believe provide services and programs that we believe in, not for the ability to take an income tax deduction.

But for those taxpayers who do feel that they are only donating to a qualified charitable organization because they can deduct it on their tax return, here’s another way to think about it.

I think of it in terms of how much greater the tax benefit of the deduction can be by taking the standard deduction, even though the contributions are the same as they have always been.

For example, in 2018 a married couple filing jointly will have a standard deduction of $24,000. Let’s assume that couple has always donated $5,000 to charity each year and with their state income and property taxes and mortgage interest they have been able to itemize their deductions on Schedule A.

But this year, because of the lower deduction allowed for taxes, they only have $15,000 of itemized deductions and decide to take the standard deduction of $24,000. The way I see it, this couple is now getting the benefit of deducting an additional $9,000 that they didn’t write a check for. In essence, they have been able to deduct an additional $9,000 of over their normal $5,000 donation to charity.

I admit this may be a little bit of a stretch, but I think it’s a good way to justify supporting your church or other causes that are important to you, without feeling that you’ve been “cheated” out of getting the deduction on your tax return. Of course, a married couple can still itemize their deductions if their deductible medical, mortgage interest, taxes and donations are more than $24,000.

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Debbie Mueggenborg is a CPA and partner with Stotts, Archambo, Mueggenborg & Barclay in Bartlesville. She can be reached at debbie@sambcpas.com or by phone at (918) 336-0008.