Political Contributions & Tax Deductions (New IRS Rules) (2023)

Political contributions often feel like charitable contributions – after all, you’re donating money to help make the world a better place. These expenses, however, are not deductible, unlike charitable donations. Here are the main reasons why:

Charitable contributions are tax deductible, but unfortunately, political campaigns are not registered charities. You can only claim deductions for contributions made to qualifying organizations.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also specifically says political contributions cannot be treated as deductions on individual tax returns. The agency also bans businesses from deducting political expenses.

There is no way to get around this rule. Individuals cannot claim deductions for donating cash or merchandising to political campaigns or for any time volunteered with these organizations. Businesses, in the same vein, cannot claim deductions for advertising in programs at political conventions or the costs of attending events that benefit political parties or candidates.

Taxpayers who want to make a positive impact in the world while also claiming a tax deduction may want to explore other avenues. They have the option to donate their money to a charity, rather than a politician, that supports a cause they agree with. They may want to donate money to a registered charity that helps feed the poor, for example, rather than contributing to a politician pursuing the same goal.

Businesses also cannot claim any tax deductions for lobbying expenses. Many companies, however, interpret lobbying expenses too broadly, and they end up missing deductions. Here are the critical facts businesses need to know if they incur costs for lobbying or government affairs.

Businesses that hire lobbyists cannot deduct any related expenses on their corporate income tax returns. This includes all costs incurred in communicating with lawmakers to influence their votes or positions, such as traveling to the politician or wages paid to the lobbyist.

Businesses can generally claim advertising expenses as a business deduction, but if the advertisement seeks to influence the public about an election or a legislative matter, its cost is not deductible. All expenses related to preparing, planning, researching, or coordinating these types of activities are also not deductible.

Some expenses related to government affairs, however, may be deductible for businesses. This includes expenses for monitoring, reviewing, and complying with legislation. Companies researching the impact of a new law, for example, can deduct the costs related to that research. Political contributions made to repeal or support a certain law, on the other hand, are not deductible.

Businesses that incur political expenses need to have a solid grasp of the distinctions explained above. They need to ensure that they don’t try to illegally deduct nondeductible political contributions or lobbying expenses. They also need to be certain that they aren’t overlooking deductions for government-related expenses that don’t seek to influence politics or legislation.

Businesses and individuals that make political contributions need to understand the rules, and they also need to watch out for common pitfalls. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Political contributions are not deductible on your federal return, but they are deductible in Montana and can lead to a tax credit in Arkansas, Ohio, and Oregon.

Pass-through businesses sometimes classify charitable contributions such as sponsoring the local youth soccer team as PR or advertising expenses, but this loophole can never be applied to political donations.

As explained above, costs incurred to research the impact of laws are deductible for businesses, even though lobbying or making political contributions is not.

Taxpayers who want to avoid mistakes are well-advised to work with a professional. A tax specialist can help you avoid understating or overstating your tax liability, and they can guide you past these common pitfalls.

The U.S. tax code is one of the most complicated in the world, and a mistake on your return can cause you to face additional tax liability as well as interest and penalties.Silver Tax Group can advise you on any tax debts and other IRS problems. We can help if you erroneously claimed a political deduction, failed to claim deductible expenses, forgot to file a return, or are dealing with any other issues with the IRS. Contact our office today with any questions about tax rules on political contributions.