This year the number of tax returns claiming charitable deductions is expected to drop dramatically because of changes to the tax law. The standard deduction for 2018 is almost double that of 2017, jumping from $6,350 to $12,000 for single filers and from $12,700 to $24,000 for couples filing jointly, making it a hard barrier for many to cross. But if you do qualify, be thorough. People largely underreport their charitable contributions, says tax expert Melinda Kibler of Palisades Hudson Financial Group. "Many people don't keep records throughout the year. Missing many small donations can be costly," she explained. "If you dropped off a bag of clothing at a local charity or gave them $5 at the cash register of your grocery store, make sure to track these contributions so you get the highest tax benefit possible."