You can deduct your contributions only in the year you actuallymake them in cash or other property (or in a succeeding carryoveryear, as explained later under How To Figure Your Deduction WhenLimits Apply). This applies whether you use the cash or anaccrual method of accounting. Time of making contribution.Usually, you make a contribution at the time of its unconditionaldelivery. Checks.A check that you mail to a charity is considered delivered on thedate you mail it. Credit card.Contributions charged on your bank credit card are deductible inthe year you make the charge. Pay-by-phone account.If you use a pay-by-phone account, the date you make a contributionis the date the financial institution pays the amount. This dateshould be shown on the statement the financial institution sends toyou. Stock certificate.The gift to a charity of a properly endorsed stock certificate iscompleted on the date of mailing or other delivery to the charity orto the charity's agent. However, if you give a stock certificate toyour agent or to the issuing corporation for transfer to the name ofthe charity, your gift is not completed until the date the stock istransferred on the books of the corporation. Promissory note.If you issue and deliver a promissory note to a charitableorganization as a contribution, it is not a contribution until youmake the note payments. Option.If you grant an option to buy real property at a bargain price to acharitable organization, you cannot take a deduction until theorganization exercises the option. Borrowed funds.If you make a contribution with borrowed funds, you can deduct thecontribution in the year you make it, regardless of when you repay theloan. Conditional gift.If your contribution is a conditional gift that depends on a futureact or event that may not take place, you cannot take a deduction. Butif there is only a negligible chance that the act or event will nottake place, you can take a deduction. If your contribution would be undone by a later act or event, youcannot take a deduction. But if there is only a negligible chance theact or event will take place, you can take a deduction. Example 1.You donate cash to a local school board, which is a politicalsubdivision of a state, to help build a school gym. The school boardwill refund the money to you if it does not collect enough to buildthe gym. You cannot deduct your gift as a charitable contributionuntil there is no chance of a refund. Example 2.You donate land to a city for as long as the city uses it for apublic park. The city does plan to use the land for a park, and thereis no chance (or only a negligible chance) of the land being used forany different purpose. You can deduct your charitable contribution. | 
