can you tax write off open source donations?

[mamamia88]

just wondering if i was to donate money to an open source distro like ubuntu if i could write it off on my taxes?

[HappinessNow]

just wondering if i was to donate money to an open source distro like ubuntu if i could write it off on my taxes?

Ask your accountant.

[mamamia88]

lol was wondering if anyone had done it.

[LeifAndersen]

It depends on the donation. You should ask if they have registered.

[mhanson]

I know you can for the FSF.

Cheers

[lisati]

It depends on the donation. You should ask if they have registered.

+1
I'm not a tax expert but suspect that the recipient must be properly regiestered as well.

[mamamia88]

It depends on the donation. You should ask if they have registered.

oh well just donated $5 to linux mint i don't think i am going to go broke over that

[Dayofswords]

here is a table from the IRS on 2009 returns(publication 526)probably has not changed much since
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf
http://dayofswords.com/images/other/donateirs.png


for what organizations qualify for charitable donations here is this from same publication.
http://dayofswords.com/images/other/qualifydonateirs.png

There is more to the list on the right but it not important since...

So...uh...What?
Canonical is a "Foreign organization" registered in the Isle of Man, and fills the part for "Groups that are run for personal profit"

I checked the first part, Publication 78 (http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/), Canonical Ltd is not a qualified organization there.

In the end
I'm thinking the answer is a no for donation to ubuntu things, but donations are welcomed.

Ubuntu Foundation is also a "Foreign organization" i think, and is not in pub 78, so it's out

as for if donations to open source aoftware are tax-deductible, depends. what it depends on ehat the group making it is.




Not Deductible As Charitable Contributions

...

*Value of your time or services
its official, the government thinks my time is worthless

[schauerlich]

Ask your accountant.

He fired him when he found out he used Windows.

In b4 someone points out accounting software for Linux and argument ensues.

[Frak]

It depends if they are a registered nonprofit.

[pwnst*r]

oh well just donated $5 to linux mint i don't think i am going to go broke over that

commendable.

I've donated various amounts of money to Ubuntu, Foobar2000, EAC, and a few others that I've forgotten already.