Guide

How to write a tax-deductible donation receipt.

The IRS has clear rules for what a donation acknowledgment must say. Here’s what to include, the thresholds that matter, and how to send compliant receipts automatically.

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What a valid receipt includes

The essentials the IRS looks for on a written acknowledgment.

1

Organization + amount + date

Your organization’s name, the contribution amount (or a description of non-cash gifts), and the date received.

2

The “no goods or services” statement

For gifts of $250 or more, a written acknowledgment must state whether any goods or services were provided — and if not, say so explicitly.

3

Quid-pro-quo disclosure over $75

If the donor received a benefit (a ticket, dinner, merchandise), and the payment is over $75, the receipt must state the benefit’s fair market value and that only the amount above it is deductible.

Let AxeFee handle it automatically

Turn on donation receipts and every gift is acknowledged correctly — no templates to maintain.

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Automatic acknowledgments

Every donation triggers a receipt with your name, verified EIN, amount, and date.

The right language

The “no goods or services were provided” statement is included by default.

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Quid-pro-quo handled

When a benefit applies over the $75 threshold, the fair market value and deductible amount are stated for you.

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Verified EIN badge

Show a Verified Non-Profit badge so donors trust the receipt.

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Delivered instantly

Receipts arrive by email and on the donor’s status page.

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Free for nonprofits

Included on the free Non-Profit plan — no add-on.

Compliant receipts, sent for you.

Stop copy-pasting acknowledgment language. AxeFee sends IRS-ready donation receipts automatically — with your EIN, the required statements, and quid-pro-quo disclosures — on every gift.

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Common questions

When is a written acknowledgment required?

The IRS requires a contemporaneous written acknowledgment for any single contribution of $250 or more. Many nonprofits send one for every gift as good practice — AxeFee does this automatically.

What is the $75 quid-pro-quo rule?

If a donor pays more than $75 and receives something in return, you must disclose the fair market value of what they received and state that only the amount above it is deductible. AxeFee computes and states this for you.

Does AxeFee include our EIN?

Yes — once your EIN is verified, it appears on receipts along with a Verified Non-Profit badge on your checkout pages.

Is this a substitute for tax advice?

This is general information, not tax advice. For your organization’s specific situation, consult a tax professional. AxeFee’s receipts follow the standard IRS acknowledgment requirements.

Send receipts that hold up.

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