Community Chat

[ROMARY]

Many, many years ago, our local supermarket (name not mentioned here) made a huge deal whenever someone in the checkout lanes donated.

Loud horns, yelling, etc. At the front of the checkout lanes.  Very loud and a huge distraction.

I'm so very glad that they haven't done this in quite a few years.

Otherwise, in a more quiet way, it's a nice convenience to remind folks to donate.

[elated]

I selected Paws For Cause on my Kroger's Plus card. Every little bit helps.

[DrakesMomma]

The small regional chain grocery I go to does fundraising for the local food bank 3 or 4 times a year.  I know sometimes there is an incentive from the store for the cashiers to ask customers.  Don't know how I feel about that.  

[Teddixat]

@santorini   Answer is NO

Tax Implications of Checkout Donations

Do Grocery Stores Receive Tax Breaks?

Grocery stores do not receive tax breaks for donations made by customers at checkout. When customers donate, they are the ones making the contribution, not the store. Therefore, the store cannot claim these donations as tax-deductible expenses.

Who Can Claim Tax Deductions?

Customers can potentially claim their donations as tax deductions on their personal income tax returns. However, this is rarely done because the amounts are usually small and may not exceed the standard deduction.

How Do Checkout Donations Work?

• Role of the Store: Grocery stores act as collection agents for the donations. They do not include these amounts in their business income or expenses.

• Donation Process: Customers are asked to round up their total or contribute a small amount, which is then forwarded to a designated charity.

Summary of Key Points

• Stores cannot deduct customer donations from their taxes.
• Customers may claim deductions, but it’s uncommon.
• The store's role is limited to collecting and forwarding donations.

This system allows grocery stores to support charitable causes without impacting their tax obligations.

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[Iwantcoffee]

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@santorini wrote:

Is that so that the store can get the tax break for YOUR donations?  I prefer to give on my own and not through a grocery store.

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No. The store cannot use a customer's donation for tax deduction.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@santorini wrote:

Is that so that the store can get the tax break for YOUR donations?  I prefer to give on my own and not through a grocery store.

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@santorini   @Iwantcoffee   @Teddixat   @DrakesMomma   @elated   @ROMARY 

Whoops!   Sorry, everyone, I guess I wasn't clear.

I don't donate anything with this program.

Kroger donates in communities based on the percentage spent in their stores.  It's small, guessing maybe one one-hundredth of a dollar or something, but it adds up.

Basically, they donate to local charities and you get to choose which ones get the money.

I make other donations, but this one costs me nothing, other than the price of the groceries I buy.  

[elated]

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@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

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@santorini wrote:

Is that so that the store can get the tax break for YOUR donations?  I prefer to give on my own and not through a grocery store.

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@santorini   @Iwantcoffee   @Teddixat   @DrakesMomma   @elated   @ROMARY 

Whoops!   Sorry, everyone, I guess I wasn't clear.

I don't donate anything with this program.

Kroger donates in communities based on the percentage spent in their stores.  It's small, guessing maybe one one-hundredth of a dollar or something, but it adds up.

Basically, they donate to local charities and you get to choose which ones get the money.

I make other donations, but this one costs me nothing, other than the price of the groceries I buy.  

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@Tinkrbl44  I knew what you were talking about. I have been doing this for awhile. Apparently, those that don't have a Kroger Plus card didn't get understand your post.

[shoekitty]

giving Tuesday is coming. Usually when you donate then, your donation can be matched!!!  Double the gift

[Q-Checker]

I think it is a great idea to make some  charity donations at the grocery store. The store does not get the tax write-off, but you can include it in the up to $500 of miscellaneous donations without a receipt, allowed if you itemize (if that is still part of current tax law). I have to grocery shop online with home delivery. Otherwise, I would gladly make a donation while grocery shopping in a brick and mortar store and reserve larger donations for the specific national charities that I regularly support. I applaud grocery stores that, at their own expense, provide this service to their communities.

[CalminHeart]

I investigated corporate related fraud for 20 years so I'm pretty skeptical of companies and a lot of people.  Companies doing this make the hair on my neck stand up. It is just the way I see things. 

I always donate directly to charities. If a store wants to match my donation, I'll double it when I donate.