At this time of year, our thoughts often turn to charitable donations. We contribute because we can, because we believe in an organization’s mission, or because someone needs our help. In addition to the benefit to the person/organization that’s been donated to, and the validation we feel at helping, there is another benefit – the tax deduction. But how much of your donation is deductible? Here is what you as a donor and/or you as a charitable organization need to know regarding documenting the donation.

Interesting news from New York's not-for-profit world: James Sheehan, former NYS Medicaid Inspector General, has been named Chief of the New York State Charities Bureau. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Sheehan will oversee not-for-profit corporations and charitable trusts and direct bureau's affirmative investigations and litigations.

The Bureau is responsible for supervising charitable organizations to protect donors and beneficiaries of those charities from unscrupulous practices in the solicitation and management of charitable assets and is expected to yield greater power following the passage of the New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act, passed late last year.

Since stepping down as Inspector General in June 2011, he has served as the chief integrity officer of the New York City Human Resource Administration. He begins with the Charities Bureau on Feb. 3.