Giving your time to a cause you care about is its own reward, but it’s worth knowing where the tax law does, and doesn’t, give you credit for it. Here’s a quick guide to the charitable deductions tied to volunteer work.
The basics
The value of your time isn’t deductible—no matter how many hours you put in or what your services would normally cost. What can be deductible are certain unreimbursed, out-of-pocket expenses you pay while volunteering for a qualified charity. To claim them, you’ll need to itemize deductions and keep the right records.
What typically qualifies
- Mileage for charitable driving, at 14 cents per mile, plus parking and tolls
- Required uniforms and their cleaning costs, as long as the clothing isn’t suitable for everyday wear
- Travel expenses, including meals and lodging, when a trip requires an overnight stay away from home and there’s no significant vacation element
- Costs paid on behalf of charitable beneficiaries, as long as the charity—not you—selects who receives the help
What typically doesn’t qualify
- The value of your time or professional services
- Babysitting or other personal expenses that just make volunteering easier
- Everyday clothing, even if you wear it while volunteering
- Meals or snacks during local, day-to-day volunteer activities
- Amounts you pay directly to individuals you personally choose to help, rather than through the charity’s program
Keep good records
For cash-type expenses, hold onto a bank record, receipt, or written note from the charity showing its name, the date, and the amount. If your unreimbursed volunteer expenses add up to $250 or more, you’ll also need a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity confirming whether you received any goods or services in return.
A change worth knowing about for 2026
Starting in 2026, itemized charitable deductions are subject to a new floor equal to 0.5% of your contribution base, which can shrink the benefit of smaller gifts. There’s also a new above-the-line deduction for certain cash gifts if you don’t itemize—but it generally won’t apply to the out-of-pocket expenses volunteers incur.
If you volunteer regularly and want help sorting out what’s deductible, we’re happy to walk through it with you. Just give us a call at 614-891-5423.