A couple asked wedding guests to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital instead of giving traditional gifts, resulting in what organizers described as "substantial donations."
But the question remains: Can those guests claim the donations as tax deductions on their own returns?
The answer depends on how the donations were made and documented.
If guests made donations directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a qualified charitable organization, they can claim those donations as itemized deductions on their tax returns, provided they itemize rather than take the standard deduction.
However, if the couple collected money from guests and then donated it on their behalf, the situation becomes more complex. The IRS generally does not allow donors to claim deductions for gifts given to individuals, even if those individuals subsequently donate the money to charity.
For guests to claim deductions, they should donate directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and receive written confirmation from the organization. Guests should keep documentation of their contributions for tax purposes.
The couple themselves can deduct any of their own money they contributed to the charity, as long as they itemize deductions and have proper documentation from the organization.