Giving to charity in the US? Here’s how to make your donation tax-deductible.

8 July 2026

By the ACTAsia team · Reviewed by our education programme staff · Updated 15 June 2026. ActAsia is a 501(c)(3) organisation. This is general information, not tax advice — for your own situation, check IRS guidance or a qualified adviser.

A donation is tax-deductible in the US when you give to a registered 501(c)(3) organisation, you itemise your deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, and you keep a receipt. ActAsia is a 501(c)(3), so gifts from US donors qualify — and you’ll get an acknowledgement for your records.

The three things that make a gift deductible

The rules sound complicated, but for most people they come down to three points.

• 1. The charity is a registered 501(c)(3). Only gifts to IRS-recognised tax-exempt organisations qualify. ActAsia holds 501(c)(3) status, so donations from US supporters count.
• 2. You itemise your deductions. You can deduct charitable gifts only if you itemise on Schedule A rather than taking the standard deduction. For many people the standard deduction is larger, so check which leaves you better off before you count on the write-off.
• 3. You keep proof. Hold on to your receipt or acknowledgement letter. For any single gift of $250 or more, the IRS requires a written acknowledgement from the charity — ActAsia provides one automatically.

For the fine detail — contribution limits, donating stock, or donor-advised funds — the IRS’s own guidance (Publication 526) is the authoritative source. This page answers the ActAsia-specific questions and helps you give.

Giving to ACTAsia as a US donor

Here is what applies to your gift, at a glance.

Where your deductible dollar actually goes

A tax deduction is a nice bonus. What the gift does is the real point. ACTAsia funds education for the three groups who decide how animals are treated — children, consumers and professionals — across Asia, where a dollar goes further than almost anywhere else.

Two numbers show why.
Asia is home to about 62.5% of the world’s people and roughly 75% of the world’s farmed animals, yet animal welfare there is badly underfunded.
ACTAsia’s analysis finds a dollar spent on this work in Asia does around three times as much as the same dollar in the West (Grant C., 2024). So the write-off lowers your cost, and the location multiplies your impact.

Common questions about tax-deductible giving

Are donations to ACTAsia tax-deductible in the US?

Yes. ACTAsia is a registered 501(c)(3) organisation, so donations from US supporters are tax-deductible if you itemise your deductions. You’ll receive an acknowledgement to keep with your tax records.

Do I need to itemise to deduct a donation?

Yes. Charitable gifts are only deductible if you itemise on Schedule A rather than taking the standard deduction. Because the standard deduction is large, it’s worth checking which option leaves you better off.

How much can I deduct for charitable donations?

Limits depend on your income and the type of gift, and are capped as a percentage of your adjusted gross income. The IRS sets the current thresholds in Publication 526.

Will I get a receipt for my donation?

Yes. ACTAsia sends an acknowledgement automatically. For any single gift of $250 or more, the IRS requires this written acknowledgement to claim the deduction.

What is ACTAsia’s EIN?

ACTAsia’s Employer Identification Number is EIN 46-4200560. You may need it when claiming your deduction or when your employer processes a matching gift.

Education is urgent, and behaviour is learnt. A deductible gift costs you less and, given to work in Asia, does more. Donate today: https://www.actasia.org/donate/