Friday, 22 January 2010 00:00

Yesterday, U.S. Representative John Hall, whose district includes Lewisboro and Katonah, voted to allow individuals to claim any donations to the Haitian earthquake relief effort as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return, instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 return.  The bill would also make clear that taxpayers making a charitable contribution through a text message will be able to rely on their cell phone bill when claiming a charitable donation.

"The images of such severe devastation in Haiti have moved many people to action," said Mr. Hall. "This resolution will allow even more people to give a bit of what they have in the days and weeks when Haiti needs help the most.  All donations, large and small, are helping to provide crucial necessities for this relief effort."

http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/lewisboroledger/news/localnews/47161-hall-haiti-donations-may-count-towards-2009-taxes.html