Supporting Kettering Elementary PTA: Tax Guidance on Donations and Sponsorships
If you live in Long Beach, you already know that schools run on more than bell schedules and lesson plans. They run on community.
That’s why White Sands Tax Services is proud to be a sponsor of the Kettering Elementary PTA, alongside other local organizations and businesses that help fund programs, events, and enrichment for students. You can see our listing on Kettering’s sponsor page on the PTA website. (Kettering PTA LB)
Why we chose to sponsor Kettering PTA
We started White Sands with a simple idea: do excellent work, explain things clearly, and treat people like humans. That philosophy does not stop at tax returns.
PTAs are one of the most practical “return on investment” community organizations out there. When families have support, students have more opportunities. When students have more opportunities, the whole neighborhood gets stronger.
Through this sponsorship, we demonstrate our commitment to being an active part of the Long Beach community.
A quick tax tip: when is giving to a school deductible
We get a version of this question every year: “If I donate to my child’s school or PTA, is it tax deductible?”
In general, charitable contributions can be deductible if you itemize and the organization is qualified, but it gets tricky when you receive something in return. The IRS calls this a quid pro quo contribution, meaning you paid partly as a donation and partly for goods or services. In those cases, only the portion above the value of what you received is potentially deductible. (IRS)
A common example is a fundraiser where the “donation” includes admission, a meal, merchandise, or other perks. The tax treatment depends on what you got back.
If you want the IRS’s plain-English rules on how individuals claim charitable deductions and what records to keep, Publication 526 is the best starting point. (IRS)
Business owners: sponsorship is often not the same as a donation
This issue often arises for small businesses sponsoring school events, teams, or PTAs.
Many sponsorships are classified as marketing or advertising when the business receives recognition, such as logo placement or event visibility. The IRS distinguishes advertising from qualified sponsorship payments based on whether there is a substantial benefit beyond acknowledgment. (IRS)
Translation: keep documentation that shows what the sponsorship included, and why it was a reasonable business expense for visibility in your community.
If you are not sure whether your payment should be treated as advertising/marketing or as a charitable contribution, that’s worth a quick conversation before you file, because it changes where it is reported and how it is substantiated. (IRS)
Thank you, Kettering families
We’re grateful to be included among Kettering PTA sponsors, and we’re excited to keep showing up for the Long Beach community in ways that go beyond tax season. (Kettering PTA LB)
If you have questions about how to document charitable giving, fundraiser payments, or business sponsorships so your return is clean and well-supported, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation through the booking link on our site, or reach out through our contact page.
(And if you’re a Kettering family, please mention it when you reach out. We love meeting neighbors.)
