flying vs driving

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Ladyflier
Posts: 1775
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:50 pm
Zip Code: 94571
Foster?: Yes
Pilot?: Yes
Airport identifier: O88
Distance willing to fly one way: 100
Location: Rio Vista, Ca

flying vs driving

Post by Ladyflier » Tue Feb 04, 2014 8:19 pm

If our transport goes by land vs flying, can we still take a write off for the fuel we used?
Sue Clark
Rio Vista, Ca.
[email protected]
Pilot transporter/Rescue coordinator
925 997-4778 txt ok

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admin
Site Admin
Posts: 873
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:21 pm
Foster?: Yes
Pilot?: No
Distance willing to fly one way: 0

Re: flying vs driving

Post by admin » Wed Feb 05, 2014 3:53 pm

Hey Sue,

We have a 501c3 charitable status so yes, you can use our status if you volunteer to drive rather then fly. You will need to ask your tax advisor for the particulars in case the rulings have changed over the years. There is a section concerning automobile expenses in IRS publication 526. To my knowledge, there is no section devoted to what you can deduct while making charitable flights. Again, check with your CPA or tax advisor, this may have changed. You can also read more from a previous discussion about this at this link:

http://www.pilotsnpaws.org/forum/viewto ... a&start=20

I have copied and pasted some of it below here for you.

As always, thanks for volunteering!

Debi

"Car expenses. You can deduct unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, that are directly related to the use of your car in giving services to a charitable organization. You cannot deduct general repair and maintenance expenses, depreciation, registration fees, or the costs of tires or insurance.

If you do not want to deduct your actual expenses, you can use a standard mileage rate of 14 cents a mile to figure your contribution.

You can deduct parking fees and tolls, whether you use your actual expenses or the standard mileage rate.

You must keep reliable written records of your car expenses. For more information, see Car expenses under Records To Keep, later.

Where the government allows something like $0.50/mile for business use of a vehicle, they only allow $0.14 for charitable contributions. They pretty much allow only direct out of pocket expenses. In the case of your own aircraft, the only direct out of pocket expenses are fuel and oil, landing fees, parking fees, etc, that are directly related to the flight made.

In the case of a rented aircraft, the entire rental charge is directly attributable to the flight, and is probably deductible"

Ladyflier
Posts: 1775
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:50 pm
Zip Code: 94571
Foster?: Yes
Pilot?: Yes
Airport identifier: O88
Distance willing to fly one way: 100
Location: Rio Vista, Ca

Re: flying vs driving

Post by Ladyflier » Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:48 pm

..I figured as much but wanted to check. I am familiar with the $.14 charitable write off. Thanks.

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