Even good deeds can spark suspicion at the IRS.
If you report extremely high charitable contributions -- especially relative to your income -- make sure you have the proof to back it up.
Receipts for cash donations of more than $250 are required in the event the IRS comes knocking.
Donating items gets a little trickier, because it's common for people to think the items are worth a lot more than someone will actually pay for them. So it's important to be reasonable with your valuations.
Related: Donate to disaster relief? Don't expect a tax break
"Unless it's something brand new and still has tags, there's some reduction in price," said Buckingham.
Goodwill and Salvation Army even have lists that help you assign values to certain items when donating them. If you donate something bigger, like a car or a boat, the charity will give you a receipt stating the ultimate auction or sale price, she said.
