WalletPop experts answer your tax questions on volunteer work, disability payments and more

Every April 15, news trucks park themselves at local post offices to interview the many who wait for the last minute to file their taxes. Don't waste your day waiting in those long lines. Get started now. To help, the IRS has posted tax tips for 2010. WalletPop experts are also here to answer your questions on volunteer work, IRA withdrawals and taxes on disability payments.

Question:
I perform volunteer work for my local county government. Are my expenses tax deductible; i.e., gas or mileage traveling to meetings and site visits, printer paper, printer ink, cartridges, etc.?
--Larry Bandelier

Answer from Bob Meighan, CPA and vice president of TurboTax
To deduct volunteer work, the organization must be recognized by the IRS as a tax exempt organization (like a 501c organization). Generally speaking, units of government, such as state departments or local government qualify. So while the joy of volunteering is rewarding in and of itself, it doesn't hurt that many of your expenses can be deducted on your tax return. Certainly, you'll want to track and deduct your out-of-pocket expenses such as the ones you mentioned and your mileage (at 14 cents per mile). Unfortunately, your time and expertise are not deductible. This is a great question, and we have tax and tech experts live on Twitter to help all season long @TeamTurboTax.