Taxes

Making the most of your contributions includes not only finding a charity that is right for you but also knowing about your tax benefits. Per the terms of RCW 24.03 and IRS 501(c) (3) AFF is a Washington State non-profit corporation, registered with the IRS (EIN# 91-1691404) to receive tax-deductible donations as allowable by law. American Friendship Foundation depends on individual donations to ensure that the important projects AFF funds are able to achieve their goals. AFF can accept checks, bank transfers, stock and other gifts. AFF will provide you with a year-end giving statement. Email us at HYPERLINK "mailto:thenextstep@affhope.org" thenextstep@affhope.org to find out more about how you can support AFF projects.

Tax Deductions
To claim a deduction, you will need to fill out a 1040 Form, which is available through the HYPERLINK "http://www.irs.gov/" IRS website, and itemize your deductions on Schedule A. If you fill out the short form or take standard deductions, you may not be able to claim your contributions. Though the IRS does not require receipts for donations under $250, it is a good idea to keep this information on file. Be sure to keep the canceled check, credit card statement, or email receipt from the organization to which you donate. Note the donation amount, the date of the contribution, and the name of the charity. For donations over $250, the receipt for the charitable organizations needs to record the donation amount, the date the donation, and the name of the charity, as well as a written acknowledgement from the organization of any property or services that you may have received in return for your donation and an estimate of their value.

Deduction for volunteering time and services
You cannot deduct the value of time or services to a charitable organization, but, with certain limits, you can deduct hard costs associated with that volunteering, such as travel costs.

Disclaimer: AFF does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, quality, completeness, or validity of any information it provides. All information has been obtained from sources believed by AFF to be accurate and reliable. Please consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice

Rights of Charitable Givers
Philanthropy or Charitable Giving is the voluntary action of giving your time or resources to help others. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life and the common good of our world. To assure that charitable organizations merit the respect and trust of the public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-forprofit organizations and causes that they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

• To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
• To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
• To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
• To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
• To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
• To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
• To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
• To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers."