Newsletter of the East Bay Chapter of STC
March/April 2003

Society News

STC's Mission

"Designing the Future of Technical Communication"

Don’t Lose Touch with STC

The Society office encourages all STC members to update their membership information with home addresses, home phone numbers, or home email addresses. Many members provide only their work contact information, and the office often loses track of these members when they change jobs. To update your membership information, complete the STC address change form or contact the office at (703) 522-4114.

Deduct Your STC Dues

If you pay taxes in the United States, your STC dues are tax deductible. You can claim dues as a deduction in several ways.

Charitable Expense

All STC members who pay taxes in the United States can deduct at least a portion of their STC dues if they claim this portion as a charitable donation. IRS publication 526 (rev. 2000) defines this option:

You may be able to deduct membership fees or dues you pay to a qualified organization. However, you can deduct only the amount that is more than the value of the benefits you receive.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, STC is a qualified organization. The only determination that you need to make is the amount that is more than the value of the benefits you receive. STC’s tangible benefits can be estimated at $30 ($15 for the Society’s quarterly journal, Technical Communication, and $15 for the magazine, Intercom). The difference between the cost of membership ($110 for the year 2001) and tangible benefits ($30) is $80, and you may claim that amount as a charitable contribution.

Business Expense

Employees and self-employed consultants may claim the full amount of dues as a business expense.

Miscellaneous Expense

Those who do not fall into the categories defined above may claim the amount of the dues as a miscellaneous deduction. (For miscellaneous deductions that can affect your taxes, the total amount of miscellaneous deductions must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.)

If dues are deducted as a charitable expense, business expense, or miscellaneous expense, they must be deducted from the tax return filed for the year in which they were paid. In other words, dues paid in 2001 can be deducted only on 2001 tax returns. If you have any questions, contact your local IRS representative or an accountant.

Money, Not Time

In the past, the STC office has received questions concerning the deduction of time or services donated to STC. Please be aware that, while dues, contributions, and out-of pocket expenses may be deducted, personal services cannot be claimed.

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