Zakat & taxes (USA specific)

[q8penpals]

Assalam aliekum

I am wondering, if I donated my zakat to a legitimate charity, and they give me a charitable donation form to file with my taxes (thereby reducing my income tax liability) - is this allowable? Or do I have to pay additional zakat in order to make-up the tax discount I am getting? (for instance, if the tax-break I get is $200, can I just keep it, or do I have to give the $200 in zakat again?)

Thanks in advance...

 

[Tabassum07]

I would also like to know the answer to this, even though I never understand all the tax details >.<

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

sister,

You should pose the question to a shaykh and then be 100% sure that whether you need or don't need to pay the $200.

Wasalaamalaykum

 

[ahmed_indian]

Assalam aliekum

I am wondering, if I donated my zakat to a legitimate charity, and they give me a charitable donation form to file with my taxes (thereby reducing my income tax liability) - is this allowable? Or do I have to pay additional zakat in order to make-up the tax discount I am getting? (for instance, if the tax-break I get is $200, can I just keep it, or do I have to give the $200 in zakat again?)

ask @ askmufti.co.za. inshallah reply within 7-10 days.

 

[Aapa]

Assalaam walaikum,

This is an excellent question. I thought and thought about this as I prepared my taxes. I tore up my receipts and did not take the break. I just thought about the phrase : render onto to Caesar what is his and render onto God what is His.
As we await an answer from a scholar..it seems that you must be able to claim the deductions as Islamic charities will send you the receipts at the same time as the W-2's come in. Brother Ayman is very knowledgeable.

Me, I just want blessings because Allah subhana talla always gives me more in return. If I donate a dollar I get one hundred back. But my answer is very subjective.

 

[Tabassum07]

Hmm.. is there any site like "Taxes for Dummies" or something of the sort? I've just started working, and I have NO CLUE if I need to pay taxes or not, or how to at all, while all around me people are stocking up on TurboTax and talking about tax rebates while I feel all stupid and ignorant.