Tax-exempt status benefits both charity and donor

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 19, 2012

~~<p><strong>Question:</strong> Hawaii consumers face lots of choices and competition for donating to nonprofit organizations. Is it a good idea to find out whether a nonprofit is tax-exempt before donating?</p>
<p><strong>Answer:</strong>Typically you want to make sure your donation is going to a tax-exempt charitable organization. Not all nonprofits are tax-exempt, and not all tax-exempt nonprofits are charitable. Charitable tax-exempt organizations can offer significant tax benefits for your donation. Of course, charitable giving is about more than just seeking to maximize your tax benefits; it is about supporting worthy causes important to the donor. Decisions about philanthropy should be taken as seriously as any other important financial decision. Donors can check the Internal Revenue Service website (irs.gov/app/eos) to determine whether a donation is tax-deductible.</p>
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<td><strong>PROFILE</strong></td>
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<td>JEFF PIPER</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Position:</strong> Corporate law and taxation attorney often representing tax-exempt organizations</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Company:</strong> Schlack Ito</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Website:</strong> <a href=" href=" http:="style="color:">honolulu-lawyers.com</a></td>
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<td>>> <strong>Phone:</strong> 523-6040</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Age:</strong> 49</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Education:</strong> Law degree from University of California at Los Angeles</td>
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<td>>> <strong>Affiliations:</strong> Member of the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations</td>
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Question: Hawaii consumers face lots of choices and competition for donating to nonprofit organizations. Is it a good idea to find out whether a nonprofit is tax-exempt before donating?

Answer:Typically you want to make sure your donation is going to a tax-exempt charitable organization. Not all nonprofits are tax-exempt, and not all tax-exempt nonprofits are charitable. Charitable tax-exempt organizations can offer significant tax benefits for your donation. Of course, charitable giving is about more than just seeking to maximize your tax benefits; it is about supporting worthy causes important to the donor. Decisions about philanthropy should be taken as seriously as any other important financial decision. Donors can check the Internal Revenue Service website (irs.gov/app/eos) to determine whether a donation is tax-deductible. PROFILE JEFF PIPER >> Position: Corporate law and taxation attorney often representing tax-exempt organizations >> Company: Schlack Ito >> Website: honolulu-lawyers.com >> Phone: 523-6040 >> Age: 49 >> Education: Law degree from University of California at Los Angeles >> Affiliations: Member of the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Login for more...