“I have witnessed the tremendous impact volunteerism has on American society—on both the people providing social services and the people receiving them. These altruistic interactions often serve a broader purpose: They bond together neighbors and communities in a common cause, and enable us to see and appreciate each other’s humanity … . I firmly believe that everyone in the public and nonprofit sectors has a role to play in fostering volunteerism, and that engagement can pay dividends for all.” Susan Dreyfus, Chair of Leadership 18, a coalition of nonprofit human servicing organizations that collectively serve 87 million people.

The tax law encourages volunteers by allowing them to deduct the unreimbursed expenses they incur in helping charitable organizations. Clients who are itemizers may deduct unreimbursed expenses that they incur incidental to their volunteer work. Reg. §1.170A-1(g). So costs incurred in going from home to the charity’s office (or other places where they render services), phone calls, postage stamps, stationery, and similar out-of-pocket costs are deductible as charitable donations.