GoFundMe donations are not tax deductible for the donor in most cases

When you give money through GoFundMe, you cannot deduct that donation on your federal tax return unless the money goes to a may have access to charitable organization. GoFundMe itself is not a charity — it is a crowdfunding platform. The person or cause receiving the money determines whether your donation counts.

The IRS only allows deductions for donations to organizations with 501(c)(3) status or other may have access to tax-exempt designations. Most personal GoFundMe campaigns — medical bills, funeral costs, disaster recovery, education — do not meet this standard. The money goes to an individual, not a registered nonprofit.

If a GoFundMe campaign is run by a registered nonprofit or has partnered with one, that changes the rule. Some campaigns display a "Certified Nonprofit" badge or state that funds go to a named charity. In those cases, you may be able to deduct your donation if you itemize deductions on your tax return.

Key Takeaways

  • Donations to personal GoFundMe campaigns cannot be deducted on your taxes because they go to individuals, not charities.
  • Donations to GoFundMe campaigns run by or partnering with registered nonprofits may be tax deductible if you itemize deductions.
  • The IRS requires a donation receipt from a 501(c)(3) organization to allow a deduction; GoFundMe alone does not provide this.
  • You must itemize deductions on Schedule A to claim any charitable donation; the standard deduction means most people cannot deduct donations.

How to tell if a GoFundMe campaign qualifies

Look at the campaign page itself. If it is run by a registered nonprofit, the page usually states the organization's name and may display a "Certified Nonprofit" label. Some campaigns also show "This fundraiser benefits [Organization Name]" near the top.

If you are unsure, search the nonprofit's name on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool at irs.gov. Enter the organization name and confirm it has 501(c)(3) status. If the organization appears in that database, donations to its GoFundMe campaign may be deductible.

Personal campaigns — even for sympathetic causes like medical emergencies or education — do not may have access to. Neither do campaigns for political candidates, political causes, or religious organizations that are not registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofits. If the campaign does not name a specific registered charity, assume the donation is not deductible.

What you need to claim the deduction

To deduct a charitable donation on your taxes, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return. Most people use the standard deduction instead, which means they cannot deduct donations at all. For 2024, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. If your total deductions do not exceed these amounts, itemizing does not help you.

You also need a written receipt from the nonprofit showing the donation amount and the organization's name and tax ID number. GoFundMe provides a receipt to the donor, but it does not include the nonprofit's tax ID. Contact the nonprofit directly and ask for a donation receipt that includes their EIN (Employer Identification Number). Keep this receipt with your tax records.

If you donated through GoFundMe to a nonprofit, the nonprofit may also send you a year-end donation summary. Check your email and the nonprofit's website for this document. Some nonprofits use GoFundMe's built-in receipt system, which includes the necessary tax information.

Donations to individuals and personal causes

Money given to a person — whether for medical debt, funeral expenses, disaster recovery, or any other personal hardship — is a personal gift. The IRS does not allow deductions for personal gifts, even if the cause is urgent or sympathetic. This applies whether you give through GoFundMe, directly to the person, or any other method.

The person receiving the money also does not owe income tax on it. Gifts are not taxable income to the recipient. This is true for GoFundMe campaigns and all other personal giving.

Donations to disaster relief and community funds

After hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other disasters, GoFundMe campaigns often appear. Some are run by individuals or informal community groups — these donations are not deductible. Others are run by established nonprofits like the Red Cross, United Way, or local community foundations — these may be deductible.

Check the campaign page for the nonprofit's name. Search that name on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. If it appears with 501(c)(3) status, the donation may be deductible. If the campaign does not name a specific registered nonprofit, it is likely a personal or informal fundraiser and the donation is not deductible.

Donations to religious organizations and houses of worship

Donations to churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other houses of worship are deductible only if the organization is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Many religious organizations have this status, but not all. Some operate without formal nonprofit registration.

If a GoFundMe campaign is run by a religious organization, search the organization's name on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. If it appears, donations may be deductible. If it does not appear, the organization is not registered as a tax-exempt charity and donations are not deductible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deduct a donation to a GoFundMe for someone's medical bills?

No. Medical bill fundraisers are personal campaigns that go to an individual, not a registered charity. The IRS does not allow deductions for personal gifts, regardless of the reason. If the campaign is run by a hospital or medical nonprofit, that changes the rule — search the organization on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm.

What if I donated to a nonprofit's GoFundMe but didn't get a receipt?

Contact the nonprofit directly and ask for a donation receipt showing the amount, the organization's name, and its EIN. GoFundMe provides a receipt to you as the donor, but it may not include the tax ID. The nonprofit's receipt is what you need for your tax records. Keep both documents together.

Do I have to report GoFundMe donations to the IRS?

No. Donations you make are not reported to the IRS. You report them only if you itemize deductions on Schedule A. If you use the standard deduction, you do not report donations at all. The nonprofit that receives the money reports its total donations to the IRS, not individual donors.

Is a GoFundMe donation to a political campaign tax deductible?

No. Donations to political candidates and political campaigns are never tax deductible, whether given through GoFundMe or directly. Political organizations do not have 501(c)(3) status. Donations to ballot measures and political causes are also not deductible.

What if the GoFundMe campaign says it benefits a charity?

Search the named charity on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm it has 501(c)(3) status. If it does, your donation may be deductible. If the campaign does not name a specific registered nonprofit, or if the named organization does not appear in the IRS database, the donation is not deductible.