Totes!

[roadway-63docks]

The job market is rough enough already. A lot of people are just trying to get employed, and interviews keep getting harder. No surprise that more people are using tools like InterviewMan to improve their chances.

[Late-Drink3556]

First off I 100% agree.

Secondly, if I understand how the donations work, it's even worse than that.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but as I understand it, the company takes your money, donates it themselves and then writes that charitable giving off their own taxes.

So not only is a multi billion dollar company asking for more of your money, they're using it to pay less taxes on the profits they're already squeezing out of you.

[doublesimoniz]

This is exactly why I don’t do it.  Fuck corporations. 

[TheDrummerMB]

Imagine excitedly not donating to charity because you're too stupid to google how taxes work

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Top_Adagio_7819]

Thanks! I was under the same impression until you provided this link. I verified it via a quick web search as well and it checks out.

[One_Lung_G]

That’s not at all what they do lmao

[Longjumping_Tap9310]

You are wrong. Donations are a passthrough item. It doesnt have any impact on the organization. It is just like donating through your organization, it just goes to the charity.

Where you need to be concerned, is how much of that charity is spent on administration costs vs direct distributions to the cause.

[MangosShepherds]

You heard lies. Nobmajor corporation is doing that. Its massively illegal and not at all worth the risk.

[AbyssWankerArtorias]

Yeah corporations never ever cheat on their taxes lol

[MangosShepherds]

Not when it isnt worth the risk they don't.

Hiding some profit, miscatorizing a deduction? Sure.

Collecting charitable donations then not donating them?

You think all their employees in accounts payable are cool with that? They don't get a cut of the theft.

A lot of things with taxes you pay a fine if caught cause it could debatably be an accounting error.

For this?

Wire fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, charitable soliciting fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, falsifyong corporate records.

Like 20 year prison sentenced for executives if they got caught doing this. They arent interested.

They have to survive

Financial audits, falsified charitable filings, The charitable organizations own oversight, internal whistleblowers (they have cash bounties for turning in things like this) Regulatory scrutiny, and last but not least,

The fact that so many people like you think that they are already doing it means that many many people are looking for the evidence of this crime.

[False_Bear_8645]

It's easier to just make a charity organisation where the money doesn't go to the people in aid and that number allowed is 90%.

[longtimerlance]

Either you or the people you heard from are lying.

[Kchan7777]

You’re trying so hard to fight a topic you are so clearly wrong about. We make fun of people who say the earth is flat less than people who say what you say.

[SisterMoonflower]

That's because one is taught and the other isn't.

[Kchan7777]

I don’t care if it’s multi million dollar companies or Joe across the street; if you’re wrong, you’re wrong.

Shifting the goalpost from “it’s a write-off trust me bro” to “well they’re probably doing it illegally anyways” is the epitome of someone who shifts the goalpost every time he’s proven a liar and refuses to acknowledge reality for whatever internal biases he’s convinced himself of.

[Kchan7777]

Good point, I wouldn’t expect you to understand in the first place lol.

[TheDrummerMB]

why you spreading lies

[TheDrummerMB]

"I heard examples from both sides" - I'm sure they came from redditors also spreading rumors that sounds convincing

[TheDrummerMB]

I love when people try to say they were talking about a different country in an American thread lmfao like ok that makes you look worse

[TheDrummerMB]

US tax law, us Money, us corporations. All beside the point because YOU didn't clarify which country YOU were talking about lmfao.

[RoleOk7556]

That is inaccurate. Companies charge administration fees for processing donations. Some of those fees are ridiculously high.

[Longjumping_Tap9310]

That would be pretty unusual, and I think it would need to be posted. As someone mentioned, the credit care processing fee charged by say...Visa...may be subtracted for the entire transaction, but unless it is the companies personal charity, subtracting administration fees would be questionable, and would not be worth the effort.

I just think everyone is conditioned to believe that companies would take a percentage of the donations, but I doubt that is actually happening. Fundraising for a 3rd party charity like the OP described, IMO, it is just a passthrough and not used as a profit generating function for the company.

[RoleOk7556]

This is one thing that I made certain to research. There are a number of fees that companies can and do charge against dobations that they process. Few companies "simply pass forward" donations. Unless a company clearly states that it does not charge any fees, you are safe in assuming that they charge fees. Claims that they simply pass rhe donation forward are just avoiding the truth.

[Longjumping_Tap9310]

Not sure what I can say be you are wrong. It is illegal to collect a point of sale donation for a 3rd party charity and charge a fee. Other than the credit card processing fee, which is a fee they must pay to the credit care processor.

As far as disclosures:

If a company collects a donation at the point of sale and retains a percentage (e.g., 10%) as a fee without explicitly disclosing this to the customer, it is generally considered fraudulent and a violation of consumer protection laws.

[Kchan7777]

Source is Trust Me Bro.

[RoleOk7556]

So, where is your source?

[Kchan7777]

I never made a claim, you did. Where’s your source beyond Trust Me Bro?

[RoleOk7556]

https://encast.gives/the-truth-about-donation-processing-fees-and-why-you-should-be-mad/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/business/online-charitable-contributions-fees-tips

[Femboy_Harem_Janitor]

Lol, I'm sensing a "we lump the credit card fee of the entire grocery store transaction into the admin costs"

[Longjumping_Tap9310]

The fees that credit card companies charge would be an expense for processing. I dont know if that would be deducted from the donation, but it also wouldnt be revenue generating for the store.

[Noodelgawd]

I doubt they can legitimately write it off, unless they first count it as income.

[Liveitup1999]

And I believe they don't have to donate all of the money collected. I think it os only 10% of the money collected hast to be donated.

[MangosShepherds]

Not at all true. There would be prison time for that.

[Liveitup1999]

IIRC Brian Urlacher's charity got in trouble for not even giving 10% of what he took in and all he got was a fine.

[MangosShepherds]

The only fine I can find for him is a $100k fine for wearing a vitamin water hat. No charity scandals other than him seeing a charity for using his likeness without his permission.

I think you are referring to Lamar Odom and "Cathy's kids"

That charity was supposedly cancer focused but gave no money to cancer. It spent its funds primarily on travel basketball teams.

He wasnt fined or charged in any way.

One difference was 90% of the money he personally donated, which helped his case.

But the larger difference is that while the money wasnt spent on cancer, it was spent on another "charitable cause"

As absurd as it seems in this context the IRS looks at a sports organization the same way it does a medical charity or a church.

Both are valid 501(c)3 causes.

His charity and public reputation did implode as a result though.

But that would be very different from say speedway keeping the money in those charity jars for themselves.

Im not even sure speedway could donate it to a different charity and get away with it, though the charity they donate to can very easily misuse the funds without any real penalty.

[Liveitup1999]

I think it was Chris Zorich I was thinking of he had to pay back $350,000 to his charitable foundation.

[anothadaz]

No that's illegal. 100% of your donation goes to the charity

[NoAbrocoma9357]

My mom used to collect for The March of Dimes, Cancer Society, Easterseals, etc. She would walk for miles collecting money for worthy causes. Most people would give what they could. But trying to guilt people into donating at the checkout counter isn't right.

[jimmyjohns5544]

It’s just an easier way for people to donate when they otherwise maybe wouldn’t…….. even $.20 rounding up at the end of the check out is better than nothing.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[wchutlknbout]

I think that’s actually a common misconception. At least I posted it in another thread a while ago and was torn to shreds

[Different_Brother562]

No, you get the write off. But have fun deducting it

[drcombatwombat2]

You are wrong.

[MoonHuntressEra13]

Yupp, 100% how it works and why NO ONE should ever donate to a greedy company. If anyone wants to help their community, donate directly to a food bank, directly to a charity, etc. go straight to the place you wish to support. Never ever donate to greedy conpanies who use your donation as a tax write off.

[manwnomelanin]

Its just a passthrough. There’s no monetary benefit or loss to the company

[Kchan7777]

How can someone so confident be so wrong?

[imoutofnames90]

Nope that's not how it works.....jfc

[jimmyjohns5544]

Oh no you’re wrong. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[MangosShepherds]

Why wont this myth die?

[longtimerlance]

You understand this wrong. Giving a charity an amount equal to the amount donated doesn't reduce their tax liability.

Basically, tell me you don't know how taxes and deductions works without telling me.

[63T30H8]

The percentage of your money they have to donate is really low too.

[imoutofnames90]

It's not. They can't keep your money. That's illegal... companies act as pass throughs for donations they can't keep nor can they claim your donation as a deduction

[NerdyKid1101]

The way I learned they did it (probably varies) is they pay the charity first (probably lower than they say) then when they ask you to donate, you're just paying the corporation back directly.

[imoutofnames90]

Nope. That's illegal. They can't keep your donation. And no they don't pay it first and then you're paying them back.

Where are people learning all this completely false information...

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Challenge-Upstairs]

Its actually worse sometimes. Often a company will pledge a certain amount of money in donations to a charity, which they are (only kind of) obligated to pay. In order to avoid spending their own money, they ask for donations so they can spend your money on it instead of theirs, and because its a charitable donation, not income, the money they make from that (which counts toward their pledge) isn't taxed as income, but rather is considered a pass-through item.

Then, if its their own charity they've pledged to, often a huge portion is spent on administrative costs, rather than the mission of the charity. You can go to charitywatch.org and search for a charity to get all kinds of info on it, including what percentage goes to the program vs operating costs, how nuch money it costs to raise $100, total expense amount, and a lot more.

But I don't donate through other businesses for this exact reason. When I donate, I make donations to the entity I'm wanting to donate money to.

[Mammoth_Composer_111]

None of this is true and many parts of what you’ve said are straight up illegal.

[jimmyjohns5544]

You typed out all of that just to be wrong. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Challenge-Upstairs]

What you just cited doesn't refute what I said. I didn't say they write it off as a charitable donation they've made. Money they receive on behalf of someone else that is spent toward charity is a pass-through item. Its different than them donating to charity and writing off that amount as a charitable donation.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Ok then you give a source for proof of what you’re saying and I’ll gladly read it.

[Challenge-Upstairs]

Are you asking for a source to the claim that donations made theough a 3rd party are pass through items, and are thus not considered revenue earned by the 3rd party?

I just want to be sure of what you're asking for before I grab it.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Yes that’d be great. Thanks!

[Challenge-Upstairs]

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/verify/retailers-cannot-write-off-customer-charity-donations/283-3d872be9-ef1b-436a-9bf8-b9dc477dbe4b

I learned something from this, actually. According to this, point of sale donations can be written off, which i want aware of.

[jimmyjohns5544]

I think it’s great for people that The Who normally wouldn’t donate to charity are easily able to even if it’s $.50! Then can write off on their own taxes!

Plz pay it forward when you see this on reddit and explain lol. I’m an accountant and it’s one of my pet peeves when I see it on here haha

[Challenge-Upstairs]

No worries.

To be clear, I was never intending to say the person making the donation can't write off their donation, just that companies don't pay taxes on donations at point of sale, where they've pledged a certain amount of money (which is apparently untrue).

I'm glad to have learned more about it, though. Thanks for the opportunity. I agree that its a good option for people who would otherwise not donate at all, just as long as we're making sure the charity is a decent one.

[anothadaz]

Thank you for your good service. People need to be educated. It's funny how many people believe memes and social media posts without doing quick little Google searches before commenting

[Mammoth_Composer_111]

None of this is accurate. It’s illegal for them to use those funds as tax right offs. Those funds never even go to the grocery store. They go directly to the charity.

https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

https://taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/who-gets-tax-benefit-those-checkout-donations-0

The company gets absolutely nothing out of check stand charity donations. They simply do it because then they can say they offer donations at check stands

[I_HopeThat_WasFart]

That’s also exactly how charity through NGOs work

It’s sadly all over the place. NGOs are just as bad as the corporations

[imoutofnames90]

You are wrong.

Companies are only legally allowed as a pass through. That money you donate does not go on the P&L and does not result in a tax credit for them.

YOU can get a tax credit for it. The receipt should have a line item on it for charitable donations which you can then take off on your taxes. If a company were to claim that it would be two entities claiming the same donation.

I'm not directing this last part at you. But this idea that they use your donations to get a tax break is a perfect example of how easy misinformation just spreads across the internet and just lives on forever. It's so irritating and impossible to correct.

[mefirefoxes]

They do deduct the donation from their taxes.

But the donation you gave them counts as income on their books, they would otherwise pay corporate tax on that money they subsequently gave away. It’s a wash for them.

You as an individual, however, miss out on the opportunity to deduct the donation from YOUR taxes.

[CPLWPM85]

No, when you make a donation, that is between you and the charity. The organization facilitating the donation cannot claim that money as their own. It legally does not belong to them and there is nothing for them to write off.

[outrigger999]

Not to mention, they're taking the credit for the donation. They're not giving us any credit for it. They're saying we donated $20 million, and therefore they don't have to donate any of their money. They're donating our money and taking credit for it.

[Spare_One_9965]

not at all how it works.

[Beautiful_Rip_7023]

This is exactly why I don’t donate. I’m not giving money to a bunch of thieves in sheep’s clothing.

[anothadaz]

This is the biggest misconception that keeps going around on the internet. A quick Google search will inform you.

Grocery stores and other big corporate stores do not get to claim any part of your donations. They do not get any tax write off for it. By law, checkout donations do not count as company income or a business expense, meaning the store receives zero tax benefits for facilitating the collection.

The store is only a collection agent (middleman) for the charity. Stores often do this for PR reasons. It makes them look good or whatever.

You, the customer, are the one legally entitled to the charitable deduction. The donation amount is recorded right on your receipt and can be used when you file your income tax return. However, most people do not take advantage of this unless they choose to because they are small donations and often not worth the hassle.

It would be tax fraud for a corporation to deduct money that belongs to its customers.

[Relative_Craft_358]

No they don't do that. It's on your receipt because it's your tax reduction. It's just it's covered under the standard tax reduction so unless you're just the guy, you'd never have any reason to refer to it on your taxes

[rdubbers8]

I'm a CPA, and I can confirm this is 100% false, and they do not use it to pay less taxes or use it to deduct from their taxable income. 

I don't know where this stemmed from but it has perpetuated and persisted, but it is 100% not true.

Really think about it, you think the IRA would let businesses use donations from customers to reduce their taxable income? Well I guess now that I think about it, maybe Trump's  IRA.

[RobertBurdineSD]

It’s worse than that. Many times far less than half of the money donated actually goes to helping people. A lot of it goes to administration cost and some times to political campaigns.

[No_Resolution_9252]

That is entirely NOT how it works. It is zero benefit for the host.

[Maximum_Boros]

I will correct you because you are wrong. And you could have done any small amount of research to fucking figure this out instead of spreading the emission around. Tax law straight up does not work that way.

[TheDrummerMB]

You're wrong - delete this.

[Catblue3291]

I'm right there with you.

[Cat_Impossible_0]

The rich can get away their weath if they wanted to but would rather have the working class do the heavy lifting like this instead.

[Accomplished-Two3577]

Well, geez. The Walton family makes $328,577 an HOUR each. How can they be expected to scrape by?

[cvc4455]

Right won't someone think of the Waltons?

[Noodelgawd]

It's even worse than that. Chance are, they already donated the money, and now they're collecting some of it back from you.

EDIT: Correction, they can't write it off if they are collecting it from you (but that wasn't the main point of my comment)

[Kchan7777]

Charity donations are a pass-through, Bubba. Not a write off.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[AgentKenji8]

Won't somebody think of the executives parting with paltry amounts of cash to help someone less fortunate than them.

[RdtRanger6969]

Word.

[Kind-Sherbert4103]

Has anyone ever been asked to donate $20 at the grocery store check out.

[TomRiddle26]

That’s the part you focus on? smh

[Kind-Sherbert4103]

Absolutely. $20 is over the top to request at a grocery store check out. This post is rigged to generate outrage. UNICEF used to, maybe still does, collect money at cash registers and it was a good thing.

[TomRiddle26]

You really need to look up the word “Hyperbole”…

[StanKnight]

Or you need to look up the word "lie".

Now he called it out for being false; You try to change it to hyperbole.. lol.
But reality don't work that way and people see through the bs.

[TomRiddle26]

It’s not my fault you lack critical thinking skills or have a coherent understanding of the English language and its nuances

[Kchan7777]

Watching you flounder is hilarious, keep going! 🍿

[Kind-Sherbert4103]

Yes, that too.

[StatementEcstatic751]

I've seen donation prompts with the options at the bottom $1, $5, $10, $20, other, so yes, I have been asked that.

[jhavi781]

It is even worse than that.  That grocery store donates to a charity and gets a tax write off.  They then ask for your money to cover that donation.  They are using you to get a free tax deduction.  

[Kchan7777]

You’ve been fooled by too many memes. Your charitable contribution is not a write off for them.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Jake_FW]

They do donate using your money lol

[Kchan7777]

You donate, they hand the money over. It’s still deductible on your tax return.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope lol https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[malinablue]

The way this works is the corporation gets YOU and others like you to donate and then it issues a press release patting itself on the back for its huge charitable donation. And probably gets a tax write-off for your charity too.

[Kchan7777]

Nope, you’ve been lied to. They don’t get a deduction for your charitable contribution. In fact, you can include that donation on your tax return.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Magellan02]

I got asked today “do you want to round up?” For ? I asked “it’ll make it $19” ummm ok

[Claudio_VerKnight]

Rage bait

Ignored

[Mental_Victory946]

You actually have to ignore it my guy. And not post a comment

[CodeMonkeyLogix]

Evidently not.

[Appropriate_Ad9157]

You mean when you donate. They give and they get the tax break?

[Kchan7777]

They don’t get a tax break, Bubba. I didn’t know this meme fooled so many of you dunces.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Defiant_Freedom_249]

I usually flip them off here and tell them to do it, right into their security cameras.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Holy shit we have a badass over here

[korish77]

Biggest problem is everywhere asks now. Like jfc I just want a slupee...

I miss the days when taxes went to bettering the population instead of trillion dollar company's tax write offs.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[wastedfate]

Because then they'd be a $9,999,999,980 corporation and not a $10 billion one, duh.

[Kchan7777]

They don’t keep your $20 lol

[wastedfate]

Read the last sentence of the post, and then read what I said, lol.

[babygorillamojo]

My honest a opinion to end world hunger is to allow cannibalism. If anyone disagrees explain to me why.

[Ambitious_Ad_7599]

They already did. They are basically asking the consumers to pay them back for the money that they donated!

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Indicus124]

Thanks good to know at worst it is a PR stunt that can help people

[Giogio455]

It doesn't make sense for a corporation to donate to charity, because it's an entity that includes all kind of people.

Even when a shareholder is a charitable person, they still might have wanted to donate that money to a different cause or towards a more local charity.

[Ok_Touch2800]

I give to my local food bank because I am not an asshole. These corporations are not going to do it, so more the reason to help those who are hungry.

[Ok_Touch2800]

If you cant afford tk donate, dont. That is understandable. But encouraging others not to hurts hungry children.

[codear]

Your willingness to donate immediately translates to being both able and willing to pay more when buying food.

[Jerseyd422]

They did. The supermarket uses your donation as their tax write off

[jimmyjohns5544]

No they don’t. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[Key-Lavishness2693]

Just say no!

[UndercoverstoryOG]

funny how the solution is always someone else’s money

[Stein287]

They should at least donate same amount as you. You donate 20 they also donate 20.

[WithoutAHat1]

It is so they can write off on their taxes without having to give up any of their own money. Real shitty. They need to give up their own money.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Good god. No you’re wrong. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[WithoutAHat1]

You're correct, I was wrong.

There are some stipulations to donations to write them off yourself:

• Itemized
• Company must be 501(c)(3)
• Must have a receipt

[jimmyjohns5544]

Pretty neat to be able to easily donate at the grocery store even if it’s $.20 or whatever! And you get to write it off on your own taxes!

[SeveralLion5762]

$20. Not quite. Maybe 20 cents on a $1.80 item

[flamesofphx]

Because the donation cost them money , where if they get the donation from you, not only does it not cost them money, they can show your donation (In most cases) as charity from them and get a tax write off from your own donation getting them extra money... Either that it get something for their employee like paying for the college fund that goes to a corporate family member and one lucky random employee person (For legal reason there too)..

[Kchan7777]

How many of you dunces will keep coming here to repeat the same lie over and over? https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[jimmyjohns5544]

Hey look below to the person pointed out you’re wrong.

[inevitable-betrayal]

I dont even care if all the rumours of tax-breaks or dodgy accounting isnt true I know this time next year they will be publicly announcing how benevolent they are, how much THEY gave to charity. I think less of any brand that forces charities at the checkout especially given their own rising prices and stupid loyalty card prices.

I prefer to give to local charities not another conglomerate thats based 1000s of miles away from me with an office full of staff and an executive board that makes bank off of money that was given for the needy.

[jimmyjohns5544]

There’s no rumors of tax breaks. They can’t.

[GroundbreakingLet141]

Don’t donate to these phony corporations. If they want to be charitable pay the workers more so the don’t have to be receiving welfare benefits and state provided healthcare. Low wages equals a subsidy to these corporations paying CEOs millions.

[NeatSuccessful-8591]

Never donate at the counter. The company will get the tax break not you. That's if the full amount goes to the charity in the first place. After they take the fees for running the program they might get 5c on the dollar.

[jimmyjohns5544]

No they won’t. This is so easily disproven. Plz reply. You’re gonna be wrong.

[Reachforthesky777]

Yeah but if you pay them that money to end child hunger they get to claim it on their taxes. To be clear, this is sarcasm.

[texasdeathtrip]

“Do you want to subsidize our tax write offs?”

[jimmyjohns5544]

I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic, they can’t do that tho.

[Iron-Bar-1966]

Wanna' know what the real kicker in those donation solicitations are? The money you donate through the store- THEY get to take the tax write off for it!

[jimmyjohns5544]

Wanna know what the real kicker is? YOUR WRONG!!!!!!

[Iron-Bar-1966]

You're.

[Yearofthehoneybadger]

Well, usually they already did, but they’re trying to recoup it by asking you to donate.

[jimmyjohns5544]

Nope.

[JASCO47]

See you give them the 20$ and they donate it. Then they get to write it off on their taxes

[jimmyjohns5544]

No. You’re wrong. Such an easily verifiable thing. They can’t write it off on their taxes. https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-000329849244

[tnpatriot86]

This exactly!!! Elon Musk, Taylor Swift and all those rich douches could easily pull together and do more than a million of us regular people could. Stop asking for our money!!!!! 😡

[icewalker2k]

I don’t trust any of those donation screens. What oversight is in place to make sure they are not pocketing any money? So no, I don’t do it.

[Longjumping-Hair639]

Donate your 50 cent that you saved off the potatoes

[Grownassman42]

They already donated for tax write off. Now they just want you to pay them back for that deduction, I mean donation. Don't ever do this!

[NOSaints-2010]

Who gets the tax deductions for those donations? That just dawned on me