Updated January 3, 2025
Remember that tote bag you got when you made a donation to public radio? Did you know that the IRS cares about the value of that bag? According to the IRS, if something of value is given to a donor in exchange for the donation (a “quid pro quo”), then the donor can only take a tax deduction for the amount of the donation less the value of the item given. But the IRS makes an exception to this requirement if the item is considered a “low cost article”. If the donor only receives a low-cost article (like a tote bag) in exchange for a donation, then the donor can deduct the full value of the donation. What is a “low-cost article” depends upon the amount of the donation and the cost of the article itself. The IRS adjusts these amounts each year for inflation. Read more below or open the article in a new tab.