Rangel, Camp, Clyburn and Cantor Introduce Bill to Allow Taxpayers to Claim Charitable Deduction in 2009 for Haiti Relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) joined Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) in announcing their intent to introduce legislation that would allow individuals who make charitable contributions to victims of the earthquake in Haiti to claim an itemized charitable deduction on their 2009 tax return (instead of having to wait until next year to claim these deductions on their 2010 tax return). Please click here to view text of the legislation.
“The American people are responding with generosity and compassion to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, donating their hard-earned money and time so that those who are suffering may soon find relief,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). “This measure provides an immediate benefit for those who have already given and incentive for those who are considering a charitable contribution. I applaud all those who have helped, or will help, our dear friends in Haiti and I thank Ranking Member Camp for joining me to swiftly advance this legislation.”
“The contributions Americans make to the relief efforts in Haiti can literally mean the difference between life and death to many of those still struggling through this tragedy and devastation,” said Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI). “To the extent that we can encourage additional giving sooner, by making these donations tax deductible, it is the right thing to do. I thank the Chairman for his work on this important legislation and hope all of our colleagues will support this bill as one small way of trying to help the victims of the earthquake.”
In January of 2005, Congress enacted this type of relief for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
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