How to Deduct Church Tithing From Taxes

If you make tithes to your church, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers those amounts charitable contributions. Charitable contributions are allowed as deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A along with other itemized deductions, such as mortgage interest paid and property taxes paid. If your itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction allowed based on your filing status, then your tithes can be used as a deduction on your federal tax return.

Print a copy of Form 1040 Schedule A from the IRS website.

Obtain an annual statement from your church that provides the total amount of your tithes or create a list that includes the date and amount of each tithe.

Enter the total amount of the tithes plus any other charitable donations made by cash or check in the Gifts to Charity section of the Form 1040 Schedule A.

Enter your other allowed itemized deductions on Schedule A and complete all the calculations required on the form.

Compare the total itemized deductions on Schedule A to the allowed standard deduction for the tax-filing year based on your filing status. If your itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction, transfer the itemized deduction total to Form 1040 to reduce your adjusted gross income.

References

• Internal Revenue Service: Form 1040 Schedule A
• Internal Revenue Service: Form 1040 Schedule A Instructions
• Internal Revenue Service: Topic 506 Charitable Contributions
• Internal Revenue Service: Publication 526 Charitable Contributions
• Internal Revenue Service. "IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2020." Accessed Jan. 12, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Be Tax Ready – understanding tax reform changes affecting individuals and families." Accessed Jan. 12, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "About Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions." Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 502 (2018), Medical and Dental Expenses." Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
• United States Congress. "H.R.1865 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020." Accessed Jan. 30, 2020.
• U.S. Congress. "H.R. 1865: Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020," Page 695. Accessed Jan. 12, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 936 (2018), Home Mortgage Interest Deduction." Accessed Jan. 20, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 503 Deductible Taxes." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 526 (2018), Charitable Contributions." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 547 (2018), Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 529 (12/2019), Miscellaneous Deductions." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 458 Educator Expense Deduction." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 419 Gambling Income and Losses." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "About Form 4952, Investment Interest Expense Deduction." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 456 Student Loan Interest Deduction." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Changes to deduction for certain alimony payments effective in 2019." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 521 (2018), Moving Expenses." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 529 (12/2019), Miscellaneous Deductions." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.
• Internal Revenue Service. "Tax reform affects if and how taxpayers itemize their deductions." Accessed Jan. 13, 2020.

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Tips

If you are unsure how to itemize deductions on Schedule A, a tax professional can assist you.

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