Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

With 2022 coming to a close, there are so many ways we can give back to the churches and charities that pour into our lives and communities year-round. Congress realized this and in the CoViD Cares Act passed in 2019, added a provision where a deduction of up to $600 filing jointly for cash donations to qualifying charities on their 2022 federal income tax return. See this page on the IRS website.

Ordinarily, people who choose to take the standard deduction cannot claim a deduction for their charitable contributions. But this temporary law change now permits them to claim a limited deduction on their 2022 federal income tax returns for cash contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. Nearly nine in 10 taxpayers now take the standard deduction and could potentially qualify.

To receive a deduction, taxpayers must donate to a qualified charity by Friday midnight, December 31, 2022. To check the status of a charity, one can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on the IRS page.

We found the IRS Tax Exempt Organization search page quirky. As in, we searched “Z88.3” – not there. We searched for, “Z Ministries” in “Altamonte Springs” – not there. After fiddling with it, just “Altamonte” worked. In order to get to the bottom of the alphabet and not keep paging, one has to pull down the menu to sort from “Z to A.” However, once we got the hang of it, we searched other local charities and churches with little problems.

As a charitable ministry, we are so appreciative of all that you have done for us this year and we will gladly accept your gift. However, we are hoping that you will remember your church during this time as the church ministers to the community at large in many ways that are needed.

Your Z is praying you have a Wonderful New Year. May many blessings come your way in 2023!