When To Deduct(p166)

You can deduct your contributions only in the year you actually make them in cash or other property (or in a later carryover year, as explained later under Carryovers). This applies whether you use the cash or an accrual method of accounting.

Usually, you make a contribution at the time of its unconditional delivery.

A check you mail to a charity is considered delivered on the date you mail it.

Contributions charged on your credit card are deductible in the year you make the charge.

Contributions made through a pay-by-phone account are considered delivered on the date the financial institution pays the amount.

A properly endorsed stock certificate is considered delivered on the date of mailing or other delivery to the charity or to the charity's agent. However, if you give a stock certificate to your agent or to the issuing corporation for transfer to the name of the charity, your contribution is not delivered until the date the stock is transferred on the books of the corporation.

If you issue and deliver a promissory note to a charity as a contribution, it is not a contribution until you make the note payments.

If you grant a charity an option to buy real property at a bargain price, it is not a contribution until the organization exercises the option.

If you contribute borrowed funds, you can deduct the contribution in the year you deliver the funds to the charity, regardless of when you repay the loan.