Which of the following is considered a qualified expense for charitable donations?

When making charitable donations, qualified expenses refer to those costs that can be deducted on your tax return, provided they are directly related to charitable activities. Un-reimbursed transportation expenses incurred while providing volunteer services can qualify as a deductible expense. This includes the standard mileage rate for travel to and from the charity's location or other related travel necessary for the volunteer work.

Qualifying expenses in the context of charitable donations are designed to support the activities that directly contribute to the charity’s mission. Personal expenses incurred while volunteering do not qualify because they are not directly related to the charity’s operations and often do not enhance the charitable purpose itself. Similarly, costs associated with setting up a business are considered personal and business expenses, not charitable donations. Investment fees also do not relate to charitable contributions; instead, they pertain to managing investments, which does not qualify for charitable deductions.

Thus, the correct choice ties directly to the definition of qualified expenses in the realm of charitable donations and reflects the IRS guidelines for volunteer-related costs.