Are charity raffle tickets tax deductible?
Not in the United States.
Why would raffle tickets be tax deductible? Whether for a charity or a for-profit casino, gambling is a for of buying something, specifically a chance at a prize. A tax-deductible donation would imply something freely given with no quid-pro-quo.
I recall some discussion once about the tax-deductibility of gambling money spent, but IIRC you had to have a decent income from gambling to claim it, i.e. it’s an occupation, and it could only be claimed against gambling winnings.
I do recall seeing things like “charity events” where a portion of the ticket was a donation and deductible, and the rest covered things like the dinner event and door prizes.
I should add that the cost of charity raffle tickets can be a gambling loss. Unless you are a professional gambler, the total gambling loss deduction cannot exceed your gambling winnings and is an itemized deduction.
In the UK, a donation to a charity made by a taxpayer can be made tax free very easily. It’s the charity that benefits to the tune of a 20% bonus from the tax man as a ‘refund’ of the tax that was originally pad on the donation. Our church does this, so nearly every pound they collect is worth 1.20.
This would not apply to raffle tickets as that is gambling. Our church will not allow gambling in any form.