You tracked your donations all year. Now you need to get that data into TurboTax without retyping everything. Here's the fastest path from donation records to filed return.
When you claim charitable deductions on Schedule A, TurboTax asks for each donation individually:
TurboTax doesn't have a standard CSV import format for charitable donations the way it does for investment sales (1099-B). You typically enter donations manually through the guided interview, or work with your tax preparer who copies from your records.
The most efficient approach depends on how many donations you made:
If you made 3–4 donations, direct entry in TurboTax takes less time than any import process. Each entry takes about 2 minutes.
Export a summary PDF from your donation records, open it on your phone or second screen, and tab through TurboTax on your computer. A year's worth of donations typically takes 15–25 minutes to enter.
TurboTax's ItsDeductible service (owned by Intuit) tracks donated goods values and can import directly into TurboTax. If you use ItsDeductible throughout the year, the import is seamless at tax time. Note: ItsDeductible requires an Intuit account.
If you use H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, or a CPA, a well-structured CSV is useful. The format that works for most tax software and tax preparers:
| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Date | 2025-09-14 |
| Organization | Goodwill Industries |
| Type | Non-Cash Goods |
| Description | Clothing (8 items, adult, good condition) |
| Value ($) | 52.00 |
| Acknowledgment | Receipt #2249 obtained |
Keep a separate row for each donation event (each time you dropped something off), not each individual item. Bundle items from the same drop-off into one row with a description.
The most common last-minute scramble isn't the values — it's missing written acknowledgments for donations over $250. If you didn't get an acknowledgment at the time of donation, you need to contact the charity before you file. Some charities will provide retroactive letters; many won't.
The IRS position: You must have the written acknowledgment "on or before" the earlier of: (1) the date you file your return, or (2) the due date for your return including extensions. Getting it after you've already filed doesn't count for the original return.
After your return is filed and accepted, keep your donation records for at least 3 years from the filing date (the standard audit window). For significant donations — particularly non-cash items over $500 — keep records for 6 years. For donated property where you carried over unused deductions, keep records for as long as the carryover applies, plus 3 years.
All your donations logged and organized. Export a TurboTax-compatible CSV or PDF summary in one tap. Your records stay on your device — no account, no cloud.
See Deductly →For informational purposes only. Tax software interfaces change — verify current import options in your software. Not tax advice.