Does any one have a formula on how one would calculate the power cost per work unit for a given project?

I want to deduct my energy usage that I donate to the various BOINC projects.

So far I have taken measurements on a selected computer. When idle it's 400 watts, when running Boinc projects is 750 watts.

My guess is I need a record of what each machine consumes at idle and when running Boinc and check the online records to determine how many work units were submitted by each machine with in the given tax year. Then some simple math to determine the $ amount of power used.

Any one have a better approach?

Thanks

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Good luck with that. People have looked at claiming crunching as a deduction before. The consensus continues to be that you can't claim the use of your computer or the power consumed as deduction since they are not considered a tangible donation. Check with your tax accountant before trying or you may just find yourself being audited. It doesn't matter what country you're in, it's never a good idea to have the taxation department paying special attention to you.

Well, computers cost money so does the power to run them.
If I can't claim the money donated via equipment and power then I believe it time to finish up the few remaining work units and shut down my "donation"
Previous discussions estmate that their power costs have risen several hundred dollars per year per box. I am currently running 4 boxes so it's a fair chunk of change that I can better use elsewhere.

So people of BOINC, Seti, Rosetta and Einstein it's been fun but too costly for me to continue. If you can't come up with an accounting system that the general people can use to help even out the costs, then too bad for you.

If and when you do, shoot me an email with the details

signed toddb (at) toddbailey.net

Projects don't ask you to dedicate systems to their projects. They only ask you to volunteer the idle time when the computer is normally on. On most system normal use amounts to less than 5 percent of its capability. The project asks you to donate the other 95% to do science.

What would need to change are the tax laws. I don't know of any government allowing tax credits for non tangible donations. You can get tax credits for giving money or tangible goods, but not for your time or the use of tangible goods as a part of being a volunteer.

If that doesn't suit you then obviously you are not a "volunteer" and Boinc projects are not for you.

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Boinc V 7.4.36
Win7 i5 3.33G 4GB NVidia 470