Question

20. Cecil volunteers reading books at the local elementary school. Cecil drives 8 miles roundtrip twice as week for 32 weeks of the year. He spends 1 hour at the school each trip. What if any charitable deduction can Cecil claim? Cecil is paid $25 hour at his job.

Cecil can claim a deduction for $1,600 for his time

Cecil can claim a deduction for $72 for his mileage going to and from the school

Cecil can claim a deduction for $1,672 for his mileage and time

Cecil cannot claim a deduction for his charitable contribution

Answer 1

As per the IRS guidelines,volunteers cannot deduct the monetary value of their time. Hence, Cecil would not be getting the monetary deduction of the time he/she is volunteering to the elementary school. However, some expenses in connection to the voluntary services provided can be claimed. 2 common type of examples that can be claimed are Mileage and Uniform. IN this case, Cecil can claim a mileage of 14 cents for the hours spent on the services provided. Calculation of the deduction is shown below:

2 times a week * 8 miles round trip* 32 weeks in a year = 512 hours

Claimable Mileage/hour = 14 Cents

Hence total deduction that can be claimed = 512*0.14 = $72

Hence the answer is Cecil can claim a deduction for $72 for his mileage going to and from the school