I have a question about claiming charitable contributions. I’m a college student and my parents’ dependent. Can I claim a standard charitable deduction for money I donated to charity on my own tax return?

Claiming charitable contributions as a dependent who is filing a tax return is permitted by the IRS, however only Yes, if you file a Schedule A to itemize your deductions.

Donations to charity count as itemized deductions. However, keep in mind that it’s not worth itemizing if your itemized deductions aren’t more than the standard deduction. The standard deduction is not a standard charitable deduction.

If you don’t itemize your deductions, you can claim the standard deduction. The standard reduces your adjusted gross income (AGI).

The amount of the standard deduction depends on your filing status. As a dependent, your standard deduction is limited to the greater of these:

• $1,050
• Your earned income for the year plus $350 (but not more than the regular standard deduction amount)

If you’re filing single or married filing separately, the regular standard deduction is $12,950. If you’re filing married filing jointly, the regular standard deduction is $25,900.