On a regular basis, you will see published in newspapers and magazines and reported on TV that a person of some importance and wealth donated a sum of money to a worthwhile charity. Without these donations, most charities would not exist. But, what about the person who is not necessarily financially wealthy, who donates their time and effort to a charitable organizations. Without these volunteers, local historical societies, food banks, cultural endeavours and other charitable organizations would not complete their work.

The wealthy benefactor, in addition to some ego massaging coverage in the news can not only have something named after them but, get to claim their donations as a taxable deduction. We would want to continue this as it does encourage people to donate and allow the organizations to continue but why is their money worth more than a volunteer's time?

Should not the volunteer be able to deduct their time on their taxes? Although most people do volunteer work for unselfish reasons, they are doing this work at some cost to themselves. Some could take on part-time work to increase their income or, instead of doing the volunteer work, spend their time on hobbies or traveling. Some volunteers spend a 40 hour work week and are not paid. Volunteers also have expenses such as travel to and from the charity and having to buy clothes for working outside the home. This would be hard to measure but if you let them deduct their volunteer time at a pre-determined rate, they would be rewarded for their time. Maybe allow them to deduct at the current minimum wage rate.

A lot of volunteers are retired persons on a fixed income. Maybe allowing this deduction would assist them to increase their disposable income, which would in fact also assist the community.

They say that "time is money" but in the case of volunteers, it does not equate to a benefit to them, except an internal benefit of well-being.

Volunteer time is just as valuable a resource for charities as is the rich benefactor who donates money. It should be recognized as such by the government in terms of a tax deduction.

Learn more about this author, Lance Naismith.
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