Typically, with gift card donations if it’s being donated by an entity who is not the proprietor of the goods/services offered on the card then they should be eligible for a tax-deduction of some market value approximately of what the card can be exchanged for. That is of course between them and their tax preparer to work out.
When the gift card is donated by the proprietor for their own good/services, then their tax deduction, if any, is likely limited to their cost basis to produce the card, likely very little. Again, an issue to be handled between the proprietor and their tax preparer.
What I feel is key, is that when producing a tax receipt for such a donation, include the name of proprietor in the description so their tax preparer can see if the gift card is in fact one of the proprietor’s own gift cards.
So, for example, if Subway donates a Subway gift card, I would recommend putting Subway gift card in the GIK receipt description so that their tax preparer can see it’s a donation from Subway where they donated one of their own gift cards. Likewise, if Subway purchased a $1,000 Amazon gift card and donated it, and the receipt says Amazon gift card the tax preparer can see this and act accordingly.
Just my 2c,
Eric
Eric F. Valdescaro
AVP, Advancement Services
University of Hawaii Foundation
From: Advancement Services Discussion List [mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG] On Behalf Of John Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 3:21 AM
To:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG
Subject: Re: [FUNDSVCS] [EXTERNAL] Re: [FUNDSVCS] Donated Gift Cards
That certainly would impact the donor's deduction - but maybe not what you count. If a legal gift you can still count the FMV just as you can a piece of art donated by the artist. They can only deduct their cost but you can count the documented value.
But your point is a valid one, Bob. With gift cards it is not a simple yes or no vote.
John Taylor
919.816.5903
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com<mailto:
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com>
Big ideas; small keyboard
On Feb 26, 2019, at 7:39 AM, Bob Swanson <
rswanso@bgsu.edu<mailto:
rswanso@bgsu.edu>> wrote:
Isn’t a further complication if the gift card can be used for merchandise that is produced by the gift card issuer, then the value is limited to inventory carrying cost? Or possibly just raw materials cost as any assembly is service.
I’m thinking private label products from retailers. Although that should be rare.
Bob Swanson, CPA
Controller
Bowling Green State University
1851 N. Research Drive
Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
rswanso@bgsu.edu<mailto:
rswanso@bgsu.edu>
w 419.372.8597
From: Advancement Services Discussion List <
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>> On Behalf Of John Taylor
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2019 5:43 PM
To:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:
FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [FUNDSVCS] Donated Gift Cards
First of all, try using the new FundSvcs search feature at FundSvcs.org<http://FundSvcs.org>. It's even better than Google :-).
The answer is "it depends." It depends on what the card can be used for. But personally, is it really worth the time and effort of your staff to record a $10 gift card from Subway? Subway is going to treat the donation (probably) as a marketing/promotional thing and not be looking for a receipt.
But to answer your question, if the card can be exchanged for merchandise or has a cash-redemption value, it probably can be counted as a gift. If it represents a service or partial interest, than not.
John
John H. Taylor
Principal, John H. Taylor Consulting
2604 Sevier St.
Durham, NC 27705
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com<mailto:
johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com>
919.816.5903 (cell/text)
Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987
On Mon, Feb 25, 2019 at 4:07 PM Harvey Summers <
ksummers@atsu.edu<mailto:
ksummers@atsu.edu>> wrote:
I searched the archives using Google search and am not finding exactly what I need. I know I have seen this but as I stated earlier, cannot find it.
Could gift cards, donated by the store the gift card is for, be considered a gift in kind? I thought I remembered something about they had to have a cash value in order to be a GIK. I could be wrong. I am getting older. LOL
To be exact we have a simulation lab competition between our students. The students are wanting to solicit local businesses for small amount gift cards. The students want to use the gift cards as prizes for the winners in the competition.
If there are other considerations that I am not thinking of, please feel free to let me know.
K. Harvey Summers
Gift Income Coordinator
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
800 W Jefferson
Kirksville MO 63501
Phone: 660-626-2511
Toll Free: 866-626-2878 x2180
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