Should Christians Claim Tax Deductions for Charitable Giving?

[NotAshamed 29]

So, recently I began pondering whether Christians should claim a tax deduction for charitable giving, meaning specifically to your local church or other Christ-centered ministry.  I don’t mean to suggest it’s wrong, per se.  More, I wonder if “we have our reward”, so to speak via the tax deduction.

I don’t really have much of an opinion; I’m still pondering this through.

What do y’all think?

[John Young 619]

Only if they are itemizing. I always took the "standard deduction" as my items were always less than the standard. However, all Americans, not just Christians, should deduct everything they legally can, so that they then can have as much of their own money as possible to disperse as they feel led. No if someone wants to give more of their hard earned money to the government, well that is their prerogative, though, in my opinion, a foolish one.

Edited September 21 by John Young

[PastorMatt 1,067]

I never saw a problem with it. I don't tithe for the tax deduction. Less of my money in the governments hands is fine with me.

[SureWord 75]

11 hours ago, PastorMatt said:

I never saw a problem with it. I don't tithe for the tax deduction. Less of my money in the governments hands is fine with me.

I agree. Also less the government knows about what I do with my money is fine with me.

[HappyChristian 3,584]

As a staunch anti-income tax person, I have no problem with folks claiming every single deduction they can get. 

[Ukulelemike 3,739]

Well, we give, then we deduct from taxes and (if we have given enough) we get a refund on our giving, effectively getting back part of our gift to God. I would do so only if we calculate that and give that part of our return to the Lord, as well. 

So if I have given, say, $10k to the church over the year, and receive a deduction of, maybe $1k, that 1K should go to the church, NOT recorded for tax purposes, just a gift. 

In my ever-so-humble opinion, of course.

[Pastorj 280]

If you are tithing on gross, then you have already tithed on any income tax return you get,  unless you are getting more from the IRS than you gave,  which is possible 

[OLD fashioned preacher 1,486]

As to the issue of whether or not they “have their reward”, are doing it “to be seen of men”? Probably not, only 2-4 people are likely to know (unless they use an accountant or are audited.) If they do as one man I knew of many years ago who had his check sticking out of his shirt pocket with the dollar figure (on the right side of the check) visible as he shook hands around the church (of over 1000 people) - well, he already received his reward!

[John Young 619]

7 hours ago, OLD fashioned preacher said:

of whether or not they “have their reward”,

I think someone who goes extremely paranoid to the point that they must hid everything they do for or give to God for fear someone might see it and praise them and thereby "steal their rewards", thinks too much of themselves and in a way also has their reward in their ability to hid their christian works.

We shouldn't worry about what others see us give or what they see us do. We should however so shine that when they do see those deeds that we do they will turn and praise God.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Edited September 29 by John Young

[Jim_Alaska 2,289]

Personally i feel that this subject is a non-issue.

[Salyan 1,870]

I'm with Jim-Alaska - I think it's a non-issue. 
A more pertinent question might be - should churches provide tax receipts?  

[robycop3 1]

  Nothing sinful about utilizing every legal tax loophole one can find.