I'm going through the annual U.S. Federal Income Tax agony, and after hours and hours of work I still don't like the results.

We've done more than a dozen music benefits over the past year, and I'm wondering if any of that can be used on our itemized deductions. I've included the mileage driving to and from the charity event, but what about the performance itself? Can you use the amount you would have been paid at such a performance as the amount of a non-cash contribution?

Just looking for honest deductions and opinions. And sympathy. I'd call and ask the IRS, but after being transferred 4 times and waiting on hold for 45 minutes, I finally gave up.