By Tony Martignetti

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As two new court cases have illustrated, it's vital for charities to give donors receipts to avoid trouble at tax time.

Nonprofits are required to send a written acknowledgment of any cash donation of more than $250, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Still, Emily Chan, a San Francisco lawyer who specializes in nonprofit law, suggests that every gift, no matter how small, deserves a receipt.

In this episode of Fundraising Fundamentals, Ms. Chan discusses what nonprofits need to know to follow federal laws on gift receipts.

Dig deeper: Read the IRS's guidelines on how to acknowledge gifts.

Tony Martignetti, a consultant, author, blogger, and host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio, talks with nonprofit leaders and consultants about how organizations can more effectively raise money, build better relationships with boards and supporters, and manage volunteers. Look for new installments on the third Thursday of each month.