Can I deduct equipment that I donated to my son's public school?

Q: Can I deduct expenses paid for school supplies and equipment that I donated to my son's public school? —John, Berlin

The following answer was provided by Mark Misselbeck, CPA, Levine Katz Nannis & Solomon PC, Needham.

A: Payments for supplies and goods as a volunteer or donated to a qualified organization (which a public school would be - a private school might not be) is the same as a cash donation. You should claim them with your other donations on Sch. A. If they amounted to more than $ 250 in a single donation, you would need a written acknowledgment of the amount and a statement to the effect that nothing of value was given back to you by the organization.