I traveled to Africa on a mission trip with my church. I paid for the airfare. Can I deduct it?

You may be able to deduct the airfare (along with meals and other trip expenses you paid) as an unreimbursed out-of-pocket expense for a charity. Here are the conditions for deductibility:

• You must incur the expense in rendering of volunteer services to a charitable organization.
• The travel must not have any significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation. The fact that you enjoy rendering services is not considered to be a personal pleasure for purposes of this condition.
• If the cost of the airfare (and other expenses) is $250 or more, you must obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity; a canceled check or credit card statement is insufficient.