go to page 88 (the one with - 88 - at the bottom) of the 1040 instructions at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.

go to page 88 (the one with - 88 - at the bottom) of the 1040 instructions at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf There is a section "How Do You Make a Gift To Reduce Debt Held By the Public" and it clearly states "You may be able to deduct this gift on your 2012 tax return". You can't take a deduction for the 2011 tax year on a gift in 2011, but iirc its treated like any other donation