Ok, I know that an S2000 "off topic" forum might not be the best place to seek tax advice, but what the hell......

I did some web work (gratis) for a political campaign in 2002 and the candidate (who won due to the really cool web site ) sent me a receipt for a "contribution in kind" for $3000.00.

So, the question is: Is a contribution (in kind) to a political campaign for public office tax deductible? I need all the help I can get!

Thanks!

 

Sorry, you cannot take a deduction for your own labors. If you had out-of-pocket expenses for supplies etc. you could deduct those if it was a qualified charity. But campaign contributions aren't deductible even if you gave money. That's for federal purposes. I don't know if Alaska has different rules.
Leave it to a politician to give you a worthless piece of paper for your work. He should give you a $150,000 job where you don't have to do anything, like our wonderful Gov. Davis did. (I'm not joking)

 

Morris,

Thanks so much for the information and the reply....bummer though.

Regarding Alaksa, we DO have different rules. NO STATE INCOME TAX!

Thanks again -

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ironwedge
[B]
Regarding Alaksa, we DO have different rules. NO STATE INCOME TAX!

 

Perhaps draw up an employment contract respectively and then claim that the cost of building the website was $200 leaving the rest deductible?

More realistically though I think you could argue (sincerely) that it was a gift and try to focus on the relationship between you and the candidate - it's a loooong shot, but looks like the only option for you.

One further option: pay your taxes.

What is the average state tax rate anyway?

 

What good would a gift do? A gift from someone is not taxable to you, and a gift to someone is not a deductible item.
There is nothing that can be done, taxwise, with the receipt, under federal tax laws that I am aware of. (taxes are my business) Possibly the candidate was required under campaign laws to value the labor he received.