Free Gig for Non Profit

Well, I was just asked to do a donation gig for a non profit. Still kind of shocked I was asked. Of course, now I was told I can get the value of the shoot as a tax write off. (I am thinking more as a way to offset the cost of some of the gear I plan to purchase for the shoot).
Do I need to send them an invoice and note it is a donation. Do I need something from them agreeing to the cost even though it is free to them?
I am not looking to milk this, just want to make sure I have my paperwork properly done for tax purposes.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Talk to an accountant who is familiar with your local tax laws. International forum and whatnot, and laws change from place to place. Fairly sure there are even fun variations state to state on this issue.

For example, it is my understanding that in Canada you can't write off skilled labour time, but could write off the donation of an equipment rental under some specific instances. As far as I can tell it basically makes it so there is zero encouragement from the government for professionals to volunteer and support their communities.

Luckless wrote in post #16080594
Talk to an accountant who is familiar with your local tax laws. International forum and whatnot, and laws change from place to place. Fairly sure there are even fun variations state to state on this issue.

For example, it is my understanding that in Canada you can't write off skilled labour time, but could write off the donation of an equipment rental under some specific instances. As far as I can tell it basically makes it so there is zero encouragement from the government for professionals to volunteer and support their communities.

Thanks Luckless. I will see if I can talk to my accountant friend who I happen to be doing some photo work for over the weekend.

The best way to do it is have them pay you and then donate it back with a check. Checking with your accountant is good advise.

Is this a cause or organization that you believe in?

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16080730
The best way to do it is have them pay you and then donate it back with a check. Checking with your accountant is good advise.

Is this a cause or organization that you believe in?

Absolutely. The organization is doing a rewards banquet for their top fundraisers. I am working right now to find out what they are looking for specifically in the photos, as well as a photo release for them to have unfettered use of the photos.

It is an organization that we already provide financial support for each year.

sirquack wrote in post #16080430
Of course, now I was told I can get the value of the shoot as a tax write off.

You were told by whom? Beware of the popular AND MISTAKEN understanding of "tax write-offs." Many people who don't do their own taxes subscribe to a myth about what a deduction is. They think that if you deduct a business expense or a charitable donation of $100 on your federal return, you get an extra $100 in your pocket. No. You save whatever the tax on an additional $100 in income would be in your bracket.

To get any return on a charitable donation, you have to have enough total itemizable expenses (these include medical, etc.) to make it worthwhile to itemize.

Ask a tax professional or the IRS (the latter doesn't charge for advice) and your state taxing authority.

i believe this topic has been covered before here and the conclusion was that you CANNOT 'donate' photography services and have that as a write-off.

your circumstance may be different, but only you and the IRS know

scroller52 wrote in post #16081059
i believe this topic has been covered before here and the conclusion was that you CANNOT 'donate' photography services and have that as a write-off.

your circumstance may be different, but only you and the IRS know

I will see if I can find the thread you are referring too. The person that mentioned the possibility of a tax write off is someone at the company I work for during the day that does grants and in-kind donations. He is the one who suggested I look into the requirements.
I do appreciate the insight so far. Doing this is obviously not dependent on whether I get a deduction or not. I figure if it is possible to get a deduction, I will at least see what the requirements might be. I will also check the IRS website and see if they have anything listed. I had honestly not thought of that, which is horrible of me since it is they who will decide one way or another whether that is even possible.

Personally, and I work for a non-profit, I wouldn't do it for free. NPs aren't broke, though they'd lead to believe so. They can afford to pay for your effort and costs. I've done one free one for where and I work. Supposed to be used for a billboard only - which it was. Along with a copy of the photo printed on canvas and hanging in every building and now as a tag line in everyone's email. Guess who's name isn't on it because the company decided it wouldn't look good?

First and last time.

Your accountant should tell you that you cannot deduct services for 501Cs. You can deduct new goods and the fair market value of donated used goods. You can generate an invoice paid by the charity and then donate the same amount for a legit deduction.

http://www.photoattorn​ey.com …ating-photography-to.html

http://www.sba.gov …your-small-business-write

huntersdad wrote in post #16081396
Personally, and I work for a non-profit, I wouldn't do it for free. NPs aren't broke, though they'd lead to believe so.

Wow, way to tar everyone with the same brush dude.

Case by case basis. Not all non-profits are the same. I've seen the books for my local animal shelter and food bank, as well as a few sports leagues. Sure, some of them could afford to pay a professional photographer for the photos they need, but at the cost of what could be going toward services. (While some are cleverly disguised for-profit businesses, I believe those are the minority)

As a business you work with charities for three main reasons:
1. You strongly believe in and support their work.
2. Networking with people.
3. General experience that can be earned.

You just have to remember that your business is not a charity. Choose wisely.

sirquack wrote in post #16080784
Absolutely. The organization is doing a rewards banquet for their top fundraisers. I am working right now to find out what they are looking for specifically in the photos, as well as a photo release for them to have unfettered use of the photos.

It is an organization that we already provide financial support for each year.

Cool....Yeah theres a couple of organizations one that I volunteer for and one that I give really reduced rates to. Both are causes I really believe in. One is local....

And I do a lot of work for non for profits and many do have budgets but some the ones I do volunteer work for don't and they wouldn't have good images if I didn't help and one does a lot of work with disabled veterans. Thats real close to my heart.

I do work for Autism Advocates every year. I give them an invoice for everything that I do...time, cost of ink, cost of paper, etc...and they use the invoice to determine what level of sponsor I am, and my logo goes on the t shirts and website as a sponsor. They have offered to pay, but I prefer to consider my efforts a donation.

OK, my accountant gave me the following information. As others have said, services by default are not something you can get a tax write off for. I could get a write off if I invoice them, they pay and then I donate the same amount back to them. Just as others have said here.
I will be doing this either way, so it does not matter. After the event, I hope that others see and appreciate my work and might consider having me do paid assignments. That is the benefit I hope to accomplish for myself.
Thanks to everyone for your input. It has been great learning the specifics. Now if I could just get my accountant to respond more promptly, I maybe wouldn't have had to rely on someone else for the information.