Folding Forum

Just an idea, but since we are donating cycles to the project, is there some way we could write off some of the power used to produce those cycles? I was thinking about in the way of F@H issuing out a "W2" at the end of the year that states the estimated power used from the total points during that year.

A benefit from this would be more users folding on more efficient systems and/or using alternative energy to power their arrays. If someone worked hard enough at it they could potential pay their power bill with an effecent system while also providing WU's to the project. If it worked out well if would be a great way to add increase production and spread the word about the cause.

Hello jeremiah.putnam, welcome to the forum.

This is a perpetual idea that comes up every April.

The short answer is no. You are not donating power, only data. Data which has no intrinsic market value. For a longer explanation, see the previous topics by doing a forum search.

If you need a tax write-off, you can donate funds directly to the project (see Donation link on fah homepage). Also check with your employer, many have a matching funds donation program, which effectively doubles your donation.

As a practical issue, the IRS requires a written receipt for a donation. I don't believe that Stanford really has the resources or the capability to judge how much power is used just folding by your specific HW at whatever your local rate is and then send a receipt to all its folders. Generic numbers will not do.