Donation in Others section

The other section has a limited set of choices apparently set by the church headquarter. The ones created by the ward don't appear. There is no way to enter freely the value in the field either.
Is it a defect ? a missing feature ? Will we have to still use paper format for other donations.

You're talking about sub-subcategories of the Other:Authorized Member Financed Activities sub-category. The online donation tool doesn't allow payments to these categories (see question 10 in the Online Donations FAQ). We don't know the specific reason why these payments aren't supported but it was intentional.

So those payments must still be made via check or cash given to the bishopric.

Ok. Thanks.

Also, contributions to an "Other:Authorized Member Financed Activities" sub-category are not tax-deductible (in the US), since they are mainly used for local fund-raisers. They are not considered "donations" since a youth fund-raiser usually provides some sort of benefit for your contribution. The youth usually provide service or a meal in exchange for your contribution.

But then neither is "donations" to budget. That category is for the return of unused portion of an advance.

russellhltn wrote:But then neither is "donations" to budget. That category is for the return of unused portion of an advance.

True but budget is not an option for online donations either.

drepouille wrote:Also, contributions to an "Other:Authorized Member Financed Activities" sub-category are not tax-deductible (in the US), since they are mainly used for local fund-raisers. They are not considered "donations" since a youth fund-raiser usually provides some sort of benefit for your contribution. The youth usually provide service or a meal in exchange for your contribution.

Of course this board is NOT your financial and/or TAX adviser do not use this forum for your own individual tax advice seek a professional.

IT certainly would complex things a bit in the database but there really isn't a reason that we couldn't dedicate say, 5 other categories that you can pay online that could be specified by the Ward. My family is at a point where other contributions are the ONLY checks we write now days.

johnshaw wrote:

drepouille wrote:Also, contributions to an "Other:Authorized Member Financed Activities" sub-category are not tax-deductible (in the US), since they are mainly used for local fund-raisers. They are not considered "donations" since a youth fund-raiser usually provides some sort of benefit for your contribution. The youth usually provide service or a meal in exchange for your contribution.

Of course this board is NOT your financial and/or TAX adviser do not use this forum for your own individual tax advice seek a professional.

I absolutely agree, John. The taxpayer and/or adviser must evaluate the tangible value of the benefits received in exchange for the contribution. This came up a few months ago when an elderly sister asked me why her donation to the scouting fundraiser did not appear on the official tax statement from the church.