Charitable Deductions for Haiti Relief

The bill to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti (H.R. 4462), introduced by Representative Charles Rangel, would allow individuals who make charitable contributions to victims of the earthquake in Haiti to claim an itemized charitable deduction on their 2009 tax return instead of having to wait until next year to claim these deductions on their 2010 tax return. The bill would also allow those who made donations using text-messages from their phones the ability to use a phone bill as proof of donation. This bill is an important way we can encourage Americans to help ease the pain of those who are suffering in Haiti.