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(Washington D.C.)- The House of Representatives passed legislation today that would allow charitable contributions to victims of the earthquake in Haiti prior to March 1st to be claimed as an itemized charitable deduction on taxpayers’ 2009 tax return rather than their 2010 tax return. The legislation was passed unanimously by the House and is expected to be taken up by the Senate soon.
“The massive earthquake that devastated our neighbor Haiti has mobilized us all into action. Our government, USAID and the military, are moving as quickly as they can to deliver aid and our citizens have answered the call, pledging millions of dollars to relief efforts,” said Rep. Levin. “This generosity comes at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet themselves. This modest change to the tax code will allow more Americans to make donations to this important relief effort.”
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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