Have A Great Time All Year Round And Get A Tax Deduction - Zoos, Museums, and Aquariums

If your usual custom is to purchase a single admission ticket to the zoo, museum, or aquarium, you may want to look more closely at the fine print that talks about annual membership.  Did you know that if the place is a non-profit 501(c)(3) some or all of the annual membership fee may be tax deductible.

(I emphasize the word may because while I was writing this blog I went over to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park website to do some research.  We used to be members so I felt comfortable using them as an illustration.  When I got to their site, I discovered that they are now saying that their basic annual memberships are no longer tax deductible.  Therefore, please be sure to confirm that the particular annual membership you are thinking of purchasing is tax deductible.)

Now, if you do not itemize your taxes, this is not for you.  Please do not attempt to find a section to deduct your membership to the Science Museum on your 1040EZ.  It is not there.  If you are unsure about what I am talking about, ask your tax advisor.  If you do not have a tax advisor, ask the organization's "members department."  Remember, this only applies to memberships, NOT single use tickets.

Frequently, the cost of the annual membership is no more than the cost of 2-3 single admission tickets.  Sometimes, the annual membership comes with 1-2 free extra tickets so it is at a great deal.  Let me give you a real time example.  There is a children's museum near our home.  Here is their annual membership information:

The museum's basic annual membership costs $99 but includes 2 unlimited adult admissions, free admission for their children and grandchildren, discounts on classes and camps, and exclusive members only hours and events.

The museum's regular single admission rate is $7 for adults or children 1 year old and older.  So, if you are a family of 4 and want to visit this museum, you would pay $48.  If you visit this museum two times in a one-year period, you would have spent $96, just $3 less than the cost of the annual membership which would allow you to go whenever the museum was open.  However, you have to factor in the tax deduction benefit.  See here:

Please read the second to the bottom sentence in the section "Discounted Memberships" where it says in tiny print, "Memberships are fully tax-deductible..." 

Therefore, given the totality of the circumstances, if you do itemize your taxes and you do foresee going to the particular museum/zoo/aquarium, you may want to investigate a little further into annual memberships.  Ultimately you may be spending less, getting more, and supporting a good cause.