Question

Our Assembly received contributions in January 2010 that were dated for December 2009. Please clarify when the contributions are considered to have been contributed for tax purposes.

Answer

Internal Revenue Service regulations state that contributions are recognized based on the date when they are given. Thus, the postmark is recognized as the contribution date at the end of the calendar year as a contribution is considered given based on when the letter was put in the hands of the Post Office (the postmark date). This can lead to contributions being dated prior to the date they are received by the charitable organization.