Charitable Deduction Resource Page

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FPN Federal Advocacy & Public Policy

FPN Supports the Charitable Deduction

As Congress debates deficit reduction and tax policy, Florida Philanthropic Network maintains a policy position to protect the full value of the charitable deduction. FPN has contacted policymakers and urged them to prevent any limits or caps to the charitable deduction.
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> Fact Sheet: The Charitable Deduction in Florida (PDF)

> FPN's Formal Comment for House Ways and Means Committee's Hearing on Tax Reform and Charitable Contributions on February 14, 2013 (PDF)

> FPN Update: New Federal Law Preserves the Charitable Deduction

> FPN Blog: Capping the Charitable Deduction Will Hurt Floridians

> FPN Blog: The Charitable Deduction & Tax Reform: How Should Philanthropy Respond?

Other Resources

> Council on Foundations

> Independent Sector

> National Council of Nonprofits

> Alliance for Charitable Reform

Infographics

> FPN's Formal Comment for House Ways and Means Committee's Hearing on Tax Reform and Charit

> The Power of the Charitable Deduction (Charitable Giving Coalition)

Florida Facts on the Charitable Deduction

>		20% of Floridians filing 2010 tax returns claimed charitable contributions.

>		1.93 million Floridians claimed charitable contributions on their 2010 tax returns.

>		Floridians claimed $9.28 billion in charitable contributions on their 2010 tax returns.

>		The average contribution per itemized return for Floridians in 2010 was $4,804.

>		52% of Floridians who used the charitable deduction in 2010 had an annual income of less than $75,000.

>		56% of the charitable contributions reported on Floridians' 2010 federal tax returns were from people earning less than $200,000 per year.

Private Foundations Can Educate and Lobby on Charitable Deduction

It is legally permissible for private foundations to contact their legislators and specifically urge them to maintain the charitable deduction and oppose proposals to cap the charitable deduction rate, under the self-defense exception to private foundation lobbying rules. Private foundations do not have to remain neutral on legislation if it affects their existence, tax-exempt status, powers and duties, or the deductibility of contributions. The exception allows private foundations to communicate with legislators and their staff on these issues and to express an opinion on such legislation. Note that this exception applies to communications with legislators and their staff and does not apply to communications with a broader audience. While FPN is confident that communicating with legislators on this issue qualifies for the self-defense exception, the information in this notice is intended for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you have any questions about how this general information applies to your specific situation, you should contact your legal counsel.