That’s not how taxes work.

But like so much else these days, these giving opportunities have become controversial, in part because some critics insist retailers are taking a tax benefit for their customers’ donations.

The store serves only as a collection agent for your gift. Assuming the business is following the law, it will not include your donation as part of its business receipts, or income, nor will it claim the charitable gift as an expense.

As a customer, the donation will appear on your receipt and you can claim it as a charitable deduction when you file your income tax return.

tl;dr: You are still the one making the donation and eligible for the charitable deduction, not the business through which you donated. Businesses like it because they can say things like “Walmart facilitated donations of $n to agreeable charity in 2023.” It’s a company exploiting your generosity for good press, not for a tax scam.