FPN Legislative Update

Haiti Earthquake Tax Relief Legislation
Updated 1/25/10

Update

Congress Passes Haiti Relief Tax Bill

On Wednesday, January 20, the House passed a bill to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti, H.R. 4462.  The bill allows taxpayers to deduct on their 2009 tax returns charitable cash contributions made by March 1, 2010 for Haiti earthquake relief.  On Thursday, January 21, the Senate voted on H.R. 4462 and by unanimous consent passed the measure.  H.R. 4462 also allows those who texted their donations through cell phones to qualify by using their phone bills as proof of donations.  President Obama is expected to sign the measure into law as early as this week.

Separately, On Wednesday, January 20, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation (S. 2937) that would exempt cash contributions directed toward Haitian earthquake relief in 2010 from tax limitations on charitable donations.  The bill would also extend the enhanced deduction for charitable food inventory contributions, which expired on December 31, 2009, after the Senate failed to consider a House-passed "extenders package" (H.R. 4213) that included several other now-expired charitable giving incentives.

Florida Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux helped lead the efforts in the Senate to pass the Haiti tax relief legislation.

Update includes information provide by the Council on Foundations.

If you any questions on this legislation, contact David Biemesderfer.