{"id":14393,"date":"2019-01-14T05:03:49","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T11:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resource-center.hrblock.com\/?p=14393"},"modified":"2024-08-27T10:47:24","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T15:47:24","slug":"are-political-contributions-tax-deductible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrbcomlnp.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/filing\/adjustments-and-deductions\/are-political-contributions-tax-deductible\/","title":{"rendered":"Are political contributions tax deductible?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you made a contribution to a candidate or to a political party, campaign, or cause, you may be wondering if your political contributions are tax deductible. The answer is no \u2013 donations to political candidates are not tax deductible on your personal or business tax return. The same goes for campaign contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"are<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Political contributions are tax deductible like charitable donations, right?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to mistake the tax deductibility of political contributions. We hear this question from time to time. The confusion usually arises over the difference between political contributions and charitable contributions. Just the word \u201cdonation\u201d can be misleading because only some contributions, or donations, are actually tax deductible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, deductible charitable contributions are those made to organizations that are tax-exempt under \u00a7501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This type of organization is specifically barred from attempting to influence legislation, or participating in any political campaign. Because of this, a political campaign or party will never fall under \u00a7501(c)(3). Therefore, political contributions cannot be treated as tax deductible charitable contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>

File with H&R Block to get your max refund<\/h3>
\n
File online<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
File with a tax pro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Are political contributions tax deductible for a business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true that businesses often have an interest in the outcomes of elections, and it shows when looking at their financial involvement in the political landscape. However, the tax code is very clear about political donations not being tax deductible \u2014 specifically stating in most cases no business expense deduction may be claimed for \u201cany amount paid or incurred in connection with influencing legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This rule is so strict that it prevents political candidates from deducting their own out-of-pocket expenses incurred while running for office. Campaign expenses of an individual running for any political office or for re-election to any political office cannot be deducted. These expenses include registration fees, qualification and legal fees, as well as advertising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, political donations aren\u2019t tax deductible. What is?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for potential tax deductions, you may want to look elsewhere. Retirement<\/a>, medical<\/a>, and charitable contributions<\/a> are a few opportunities to reduce your overall taxable income.  The Tax Pros at H&R Block can help. We can look at your situation and help you determine the deductions that apply to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u00a0file taxes online<\/a>\u00a0or with an\u00a0H&R Block tax pro<\/a>, we\u2019ll help you uncover every last credit and deduction you deserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you made a contribution to a candidate or to a political party, campaign, or cause, you may be wondering if your political contributions are tax deductible. The answer is no \u2013 donations to political candidates are not tax deductible on your personal or business tax return. The same goes for campaign contributions. Political contributions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":487,"featured_media":32871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adjustments-and-deductions","category-filing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Are Political Contributions Tax Deductible? | H&R Block<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you made a contribution to a candidate or to a political party, campaign, or cause, you may be wondering if your political contributions are tax deductible. The answer is no \u2013 donations to political candidates are not tax deductible on your personal or business tax return. 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