The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that 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 the deductions on their 2010 tax return.

 

The legislation also includes a provision allowing those who text-messaged a donation the ability to use a phone bill as proof of their donation. 

 

The House bill will benefit those who make monetary contributions and who can itemize their deductions. Similar legislation was enacted in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.
 

One novel feature of the House bill is that it allows taxpayers to substantiate deductions made by cell phone with a record from their cellular provider showing the date, amount and name of the organization receiving the contribution.

 

The Senate is expected to pass the bill as it is received from the House, but further legislation may be in the offing.

 

If you were planning on donating to the Haitian relief effort and have not done so, my brother, Terry, operates an orphanage in Haiti through his non profit 501(c)3 organization. Checks may be sent to our firm and we immediately forward them on. His non profit takes no administrative fees. 100% of monies donated are given to the orphanage.