House Unanimously Votes for Haiti Relief Tax Deduction

January 20, 2010

Washington DC - Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) voted to help earthquake victims in by offering an immediate benefit to Americans who make charitable contributions to aid the region. This bipartisan legislation will allow individuals to claim any donations to the relief effort as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return, instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 return.

“The generous outpouring of support the American people have shown the victims of the earthquake has been nothing short of remarkable. During these tough economic times Americans are making donations both large and small to assist this important relief effort. I am proud to join my colleagues in Congress to assist in providing this tax incentive that will reward those who have already given and help spur additional donations. Once again, the American people are leading the way to help those in need. I urge the Senate to quickly pass and the President to sign into law this important legislation,” stated Perlmutter.

This measure will promote timely giving to Haiti , in the days and weeks when the region needs help the most, by providing Americans with an immediate income tax benefit that individuals can claim in 2009, instead of 2010. The bill would also make clear that the many taxpayers making a charitable contribution to victims of the earthquake through a text message will be able to rely on their cell phone bill when claiming a charitable donation.

In January of 2005, Congress enacted similar tax provisions 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.