Charity FAQs

Donating items for charity auctions is a wonderful way to support noble causes while simultaneously parting ways with items you no longer need. However, the process involves a crucial element: the issuance of receipts.

Understanding the guidelines for receipting items donated for an auction and items bought at an auction is essential to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain transparency. In this blog post, we'll delve into the general information and provide a detailed example to shed light on this often overlooked aspect of charitable giving.

Receipting for Donated Items:

When an individual generously donates an item for a charity auction, a receipt can be issued to acknowledge their contribution. However, there are important rules to follow:

Fair Market Value Determination:

• A receipt may be provided for the donated item's fair market value at the time of contribution.
• The donated item might be governed by the rule of deemed fair market value.
• If it proves challenging to determine the fair market value, issuing a receipt is not allowed.

Receipting for Items Bought at an Auction:

If an item is purchased at an auction, the process becomes slightly more intricate:

Establishing Fair Market Value:

• The fair market value must be determined and made known to all bidders before the auction.
• Failure to disclose the fair market value prohibits the issuance of a receipt.
  
  

Meeting the Intention to Give Threshold:

• The winning bid must not exceed 80% of the fair market value.
• The charity can calculate the minimum bid required to meet the intention to give threshold by multiplying the fair market value by 125%.

Example: A Bike at Auction

Let's break down an example to illustrate the receipting process:

1. A bicycle is contributed to a charitable organization for an auction.
2. Fair market value at the time of donation: $400.
3. Winning bid at the auction: $550.

Calculation of Eligible Amount:

• Winning Bid (the gift): $550
• Less Advantage (Fair Market Value of Bike): $400
• Total Advantage: $400
• Eligible Amount: $150

In this instance, it is permissible to provide a receipt to the successful bidder for the qualified sum of $150.

It is essential to emphasize that the fair market value must be revealed prior to the auction. The minimum bid necessary to fulfill the intention to donate threshold is $500 (fair market value x 125%). If the overall advantage had surpassed $440 (80% of the winning bid), issuing a receipt would not have been possible.

Understanding the intricacies of receipting for items donated for charity auctions and items bought at auctions is vital for both donors and charitable organizations. By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure transparency and compliance, fostering a more effective and ethical charitable giving process.