Most GoFundMe donations are not tax deductible for the person who gives money

A donation to a GoFundMe campaign is tax deductible only if the money goes to a may have access to charitable organization — one that holds 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. A campaign set up by an individual or a family to raise money for medical bills, education, or personal hardship is not tax deductible, even if the cause is sympathetic. The IRS does not treat personal fundraising the same way it treats donations to established nonprofits.

If you donate to a GoFundMe and want to claim a tax deduction, you need to know who is actually receiving the money. Some campaigns are run by nonprofits on the platform. Most are not. The difference determines whether you can deduct the donation on your tax return.

Key Takeaways

  • Donations to personal GoFundMe campaigns — for medical expenses, education, or family hardship — are not tax deductible because they go to individuals, not charities.
  • Donations to GoFundMe campaigns run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits are tax deductible if the nonprofit is listed as the beneficiary and you itemize deductions.
  • You can verify a nonprofit's 501(c)(3) status by searching the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool before you donate.
  • If you receive money through a personal GoFundMe, you may owe income tax on the amount, depending on the reason for the fundraising.

How to tell if a GoFundMe is run by a charity

The campaign page itself should state who the beneficiary is. If the campaign says it is being run by a named nonprofit organization, look up that organization in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov/charities-non-profits. Type in the organization's name or its Employer Identification Number (EIN). If it appears in the search results with 501(c)(3) status, donations to that campaign are tax deductible.

If the campaign is set up by an individual — even if they say the money will go to a nonprofit later — the donation is not tax deductible at the time you give it. The IRS requires that the nonprofit be the direct recipient of the funds. A personal fundraiser that promises to donate the proceeds to charity later does not may have access to.

Some GoFundMe campaigns are set up by nonprofits to fund specific projects or emergency relief. These are deductible. But the vast majority of campaigns on the platform are personal fundraisers, and those are not.

What happens if you receive GoFundMe money

If you set up a GoFundMe and receive donations, the tax treatment depends on why you raised the money. Money raised for medical expenses, living expenses after a disaster, or other personal hardship is generally not taxable income to you — the IRS treats it as a gift. GoFundMe does not issue a 1099 form for these campaigns.

However, if you raise money for a business purpose, to pay off a loan, or for any reason that looks like income, the IRS may treat it as taxable. If you are uncertain whether your campaign falls into a gray area, you should document the purpose clearly and consider speaking with a tax professional before you file.

GoFundMe itself does not report donations to the IRS on your behalf for personal campaigns. That does not mean the money is invisible to the IRS — if the amount is large or the purpose is ambiguous, the IRS can still ask questions. Keeping records of how the money was used is your protection.

Charitable campaigns that do may have access to for deductions

Some GoFundMe campaigns are set up by established nonprofits to raise money for disaster relief, medical research, or community programs. If you donate to one of these campaigns, you can deduct the donation if the nonprofit holds 501(c)(3) status and you itemize deductions on your tax return.

You will need to keep a record of your donation — a screenshot of the confirmation email or the campaign page showing the nonprofit's name and the amount you gave. When you file your taxes, you report the donation as a charitable contribution on Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) if you itemize, or you cannot claim it if you take the standard deduction.

The standard deduction for 2024 is higher than most people's charitable giving, so many taxpayers do not benefit from deducting donations even if they are deductible. If your total itemized deductions — including charitable gifts, mortgage interest, and state taxes — exceed the standard deduction, then deducting your GoFundMe donation makes sense.

The difference between gifts and income

The IRS distinguishes between a gift (which is not taxable to the recipient) and income (which is). A personal GoFundMe campaign for medical bills or hardship is treated as a gift because there is no expectation of repayment or service. The person giving the money is not receiving anything in return.

If you set up a GoFundMe and promise donors something in exchange — a product, a service, or a stake in a business — the money is income, not a gift, and you owe tax on it. The same is true if you are raising money to pay off a personal debt or to fund a business venture. The line between gift and income can be blurry, which is why documentation matters.

If you are the recipient of a large GoFundMe and you are not sure whether it is taxable, the safest approach is to report it as income on your tax return. You can always file an amended return later if you learn it was not taxable. The opposite — not reporting it and then being asked about it — creates a bigger problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deduct a donation to a GoFundMe for someone's medical bills?

No, unless the campaign is run by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If an individual set up the campaign to raise money for their own or a family member's medical expenses, your donation is not tax deductible. You can give the money as a gift, but you cannot claim it on your tax return.

How do I know if a nonprofit on GoFundMe is really a 501(c)(3)?

Search the nonprofit's name or EIN in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov/charities-non-profits. If it appears with 501(c)(3) status listed, it is legitimate. If it does not appear, it is not a may have access to charity, and donations are not deductible.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I raise through a personal GoFundMe?

Not if the money is a gift for personal hardship, medical expenses, or disaster relief. If the campaign is for a business purpose, to pay off debt, or in exchange for goods or services, it is taxable income. Keep records showing the purpose of the fundraiser.

What if I donated to a GoFundMe and want to claim it as a deduction?

First, verify the campaign was run by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit using the IRS search tool. If it was, keep your donation receipt and report it on Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) when you file. You can only claim it if you itemize rather than take the standard deduction.