Deet, an unmarried taxpayer, qualified to itemize current year deductions. Deet's adjusted gross income was $40,000 and he made a $1,500 substantiated cash donation directly to a needy family. Deet also donated art, valued at $11,000, to a local art museum. Deet had purchased the art work two years earlier for $2,000. What was the maximum amount of the charitable contribution allowable as an itemized deduction on Deet's current year income tax return?

a. $11,000

b. $12,500

c. $2,000

d. $3,500

答案：A

Explanation

Choice "a" is correct. The $1,500 donation is not deductible because it was made directly to the needy family rather than to a qualified organization. Because the artwork had been held for more than one year, the fair market value could be deducted. In this case, the $11,000 was within the taxpayer's limitation of $12,000 (30% of AGI of $40,000) for donations of appreciated property.

Choice "b" is incorrect. The $1,500 donation is not deductible because it was made directly to the needy family rather than to a qualified organization.

Choice "d" is incorrect. The $1,500 donation is not deductible because it was made directly to the needy family rather than to a qualified organization. Furthermore, the fair market value of the artwork could be deducted because it had been held for more than one year and that value fell within the 30% of AGI overall limitation for appreciated property.

Choice "c" is incorrect. The fair market value of the artwork could be deducted because it had been held for more than one year and that value fell within the 30% of AGI overall limitation for appreciated property.