<prompt> Human: Im working to help a start-up non-profit in its foundational stages. As they do not yet have any money to pay me though a written offer for future employment has gone back and forth with some revisions, they suggest keeping track of the hours I devote to the project and calculate how much I would have made had I been paid the rate that I would be making. I am told I can deduct this amount from my taxes as a charitable donation.I have a couple questions. Is that legitimate? How do I do that? What is the limit for how much I can claim as charitable donation?  <response>: IRS Publication 526 has the answer:Value of Time or ServicesYou cant deduct the value of your time or services, including: Blood donations to the American Red Cross or to blood banks, and The value of income lost while you work as an unpaid volunteer for a qualified organization. 