Treasury Regulations · 26 CFR
§ 1.170A-1. Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts; allowance of deduction.
Regulation text, no changes From the eCFR, current as of October 15, 2026. The eCFR is an authoritative but unofficial editorial compilation of the Code of Federal Regulations; the official text is the annual CFR on govinfo. Compare it with this section on ecfr.gov (external site) or the official annual CFR on govinfo (external site).
Cite as 26 CFR § 1.170A-1
At a glance
Read from the text and its source citation. Not part of the regulation.
- Status
- In the current eCFR
- Issued
- October 4, 1972 by T.D. 7207
- Last amended
- August 11, 2020
- Length
- 5,392 words · about 23 min to read
- Defines
- 2 terms
- Cross-references
- cites 14 Code sections and 19 regulations; cited by 12
In 1970, A, an individual using the calendar year as the taxable year and the accrual method of accounting, contributed to a church property from inventory having a fair market value of $600. The closing inventory at the end of 1969 properly included $400 of costs attributable to the acquisition of such property, and in 1969 A properly deducted under section 162 $50 of administrative and other expenses attributable to such property. Under section 170(e)(1)(A) and paragraph (a) of § 1.170A-4, the amount of the charitable contribution allowed for 1970 is $400 ($600−[$600−$400]). Pursuant to this subparagraph, the cost of goods sold to be used in determining gross income for 1970 may not include the $400 which was included in opening inventory for that year.
The facts are the same as in Example 1 except that the contributed property was acquired in 1970 at a cost of $400. The $400 cost of the property is included in determining the cost of goods sold for 1970, and $50 is allowed as a deduction for that year under section 162. A is not allowed any deduction under section 170 for the contributed property, since under section 170(e)(1)(A) and paragraph (a) of § 1.170A-4 the amount of the charitable contribution is reduced to zero ($600−[$600−$0]).
In 1970, B, an individual using the calendar year as the taxable year and the accrual method of accounting, contributed to a church property from inventory having a fair market value of $600. Under § 1.471-3(c), the closing inventory at the end of 1969 properly included $450 costs attributable to the production of such property, including $50 of administrative and other indirect expenses which, under his method of accounting, was properly added to inventory rather than deducted as a business expense. Under section 170(e)(1)(A) and paragraph (a) of § 1.170A-4, the amount of the charitable contribution allowed for 1970 is $450 ($600−[$600−$450]). Pursuant to this subparagraph, the cost of goods sold to be used in determining gross income for 1970 may not include the $450 which was included in opening inventory for that year.
The facts are the same as in Example 3 except that the contributed property was produced in 1970 at a cost of $450, including $50 of administrative and other indirect expenses. The $450 cost of the property is included in determining the cost of goods sold for 1970. B is not allowed any deduction under section 170 for the contributed property, since under section 170(e)(1)(A) and paragraph (a) of § 1.170A-4 the amount of the charitable contribution is reduced to zero ($600−[$600−$0]).
In 1970, C, a farmer using the cash method of accounting and the calendar year as the taxable year, contributed to a church a quantity of grain which he had raised having a fair market value of $600. In 1969, C paid expenses of $450 in raising the property which he properly deducted for such year under section 162. Under section 170(e)(1)(A) and paragraph (a) of § 1.170A-4, the amount of the charitable contribution in 1970 is reduced to zero ($600−[$600−$0]). Accordingly, C is not allowed any deduction under section 170 for the contributed property.
Taxpayer makes a $50 payment to Charity B, an organization described in section 170(c), in exchange for a family membership. The family membership entitles Taxpayer and members of Taxpayer's family to certain benefits. These benefits include free admission to weekly poetry readings, discounts on merchandise sold by B in its gift shop or by mail order, and invitations to special events for members only, such as lectures or informal receptions. When B first offers its membership package for the year, B reasonably projects that each special event for members will have a cost to B, excluding any allocable overhead, of $5 or less per person attending the event. Because the family membership benefits are disregarded pursuant to § 1.170A-13(f)(8)(i), Taxpayer may treat the $50 payment as a contribution or gift within the meaning of section 170(c), regardless of Taxpayer's intent and whether or not the payment exceeds the fair market value of the goods or services. Furthermore, any charitable contribution deduction available to Taxpayer may be calculated without regard to the membership benefits.
Taxpayer attends an auction held by Charity C, an organization described in section 170(c). Prior to the auction, C publishes a catalog that meets the requirements for a written disclosure statement under section 6115(a) (including C's good faith estimate of the value of items that will be available for bidding). A representative of C gives a copy of the catalog to each individual (including Taxpayer) who attends the auction. Taxpayer notes that in the catalog C's estimate of the value of a vase is $100. Taxpayer has no reason to doubt the accuracy of this estimate. Taxpayer successfully bids and pays $500 for the vase. Because Taxpayer knew, prior to making her payment, that the estimate in the catalog was less than the amount of her payment, Taxpayer satisfies the requirement of paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this section. Because Taxpayer makes a payment in an amount that exceeds that estimate, Taxpayer satisfies the requirements of paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section. Taxpayer may treat C's estimate of the value of the vase as its fair market value in determining the amount of her charitable contribution deduction.
Taxpayer makes a $200 payment to Charity D, an organization described in section 170(c). In return for Taxpayer's payment, D gives Taxpayer a book that Taxpayer could buy at retail prices typically ranging from $18 to $25. D provides Taxpayer with a good faith estimate, in a written disclosure statement under section 6115(a), of $20 for the value of the book. Because the estimate is within the range of typical retail prices for the book, the estimate contained in the written disclosure statement is not in error. Although Taxpayer knows that the book is sold for as much as $25, Taxpayer may treat the estimate of $20 as the fair market value of the book in determining the amount of his charitable contribution deduction.
For purposes of determining whether an organization is attempting to influence legislation or is engaging in political activities, see sections 501(c)(3), 501(h), 4911 and the regulations thereunder.
(68A Stat. 58, 26 U.S.C. 170(a)(1); 68A Stat. 917, 26 U.S.C. 7805)
[T.D. 7207, 37 FR 20771, Oct. 4, 1972, as amended by T.D. 7340, 40 FR 1238, Jan. 7, 1975; T.D. 7807, 47 FR 4510, Feb. 1, 1982; T.D. 8002, 49 FR 50666, Dec. 31, 1984; T.D. 8308, 55 FR 35587, Aug. 31, 1990; T.D. 8690, 61 FR 65951, Dec. 16, 1996; T.D. 9194, 70 FR 18928, Apr. 11, 2005; T.D. 9391, 73 FR 19358, Apr. 9, 2008; T.D. 9836, 83 FR 36421, July 30, 2018; 83 FR 45827, Sept. 11, 2018; T.D. 9864, 84 FR 27530, June 13, 2019; T.D, 9907, 85 FR 48474, Aug. 11, 2020]
Terms defined here
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Cross-references
Computed from the citations in the text of 26 CFR.
Code sections it cites
- § 170 Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts
- § 63 Taxable income defined
- § 162 Trade or business expenses
- § 1011 Adjusted basis for determining gain or loss
- § 3 Tax tables for individuals
- § 6115 Disclosure related to quid pro quo contributions
- § 642 Special rules for credits and deductions
- § 508 Special rules with respect to section 501(c)(3) organizations
- § 501 Exemption from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.
- § 584 Common trust funds
- § 873 Deductions
- § 931 Income from sources within Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands
- § 381 Carryovers in certain corporate acquisitions
- § 7805 Rules and regulations
Regulations it cites
- § 1.170A-11 Limitation on, and carryover of, contributions by corporations.
- § 1.170A-13 Recordkeeping and return requirements for deductions for charitable contributions.
- § 1.170A-8 Limitations on charitable deductions by individuals.
- § 1.170A-10 Charitable contributions carryovers of individuals.
- § 1.170A-2 Amounts paid to maintain certain students as members of the taxpayer's household.
- § 1.170A-3 Reduction of charitable contribution for interest on certain indebtedness.
- § 1.170A-4 Reduction in amount of charitable contributions of certain appreciated property.
- § 1.170A-5 Future interests in tangible personal property.
- § 1.170A-9 Definition of section 170(b)(1)(A) organization.
- § 1.170A-4A Special rule for the deduction of certain charitable contributions of inventory and other property.
- § 1.471-3 Inventories at cost.
- § 1.162-15 Contributions, dues, etc.
- § 1.101-2 Employees' death benefits.
- § 1.1011-2 Bargain sale to a charitable organization.
- § 1.164-3 Definitions and special rules.
- § 1.642(c)-4 Nonexempt private foundations.
- § 1.931-1 Exclusion of certain income from sources within Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
- § 1.501(h)-2 Electing the expenditure test.
- § 56.4911-2 Lobbying expenditures, direct lobbying communications, and grass roots lobbying communications.
Cited by 12 other regulations
- § 1.84-1 Transfer of appreciated property to political organizations.
- § 1.162-15 Contributions, dues, etc.
- § 1.164-3 Definitions and special rules.
- § 1.170A-4A Special rule for the deduction of certain charitable contributions of inventory and other property.
- § 1.170A-7 Contributions not in trust of partial interests in property.
- § 1.170A-13 Recordkeeping and return requirements for deductions for charitable contributions.
- § 1.170A-14 Qualified conservation contributions.
- § 1.170A-15 Substantiation requirements for charitable contribution of a cash, check, or other monetary gift.
- § 1.170A-17 Qualified appraisal and qualified appraiser.
- § 1.642(c)-3 Adjustments and other special rules for determining unlimited charitable contributions deduction.
- § 1.6115-1 Disclosure requirements for quid pro quo contributions.
- § 53.4968-2 Net investment income.
Amendment history
From the source citation at the end of the section, newest first. T.D. is a Treasury decision; FR is the Federal Register.
- Amended (85 FR 48474)
- Amended by T.D. 9864 (84 FR 27530)
- Amended (83 FR 45827)
- Amended by T.D. 9836 (83 FR 36421)
- Amended by T.D. 9391 (73 FR 19358)
- Amended by T.D. 9194 (70 FR 18928)
- Amended by T.D. 8690 (61 FR 65951)
- Amended by T.D. 8308 (55 FR 35587)
- Amended by T.D. 8002 (49 FR 50666)
- Amended by T.D. 7807 (47 FR 4510)
- Amended by T.D. 7340 (40 FR 1238)
- Issued by T.D. 7207 (37 FR 20771)
Where it sits in 26 CFR
- Subchapter A Income tax
- Part 1 Income taxes
- Itemized Deductions for Individuals and Corporations (Continued)
Nearby sections
- § 1.170-3 Contributions or gifts by corporations (before amendment by Tax Reform Act of 1969).
- § 1.170A-1 Charitable, etc., contributions and gifts; allowance of deduction.
- § 1.170A-2 Amounts paid to maintain certain students as members of the taxpayer's household.
- § 1.170A-3 Reduction of charitable contribution for interest on certain indebtedness.
- § 1.170A-4 Reduction in amount of charitable contributions of certain appreciated property.
- § 1.170A-4A Special rule for the deduction of certain charitable contributions of inventory and other property.