Tax Relief for Haiti Relief Donations » Jan. 29, 2010

If you donate to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti, you may be able to claim those donations on your 2009 tax return.  Here are some important facts the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know about this special provision that was enacted January 22, 2010:

1. This new law allows taxpayers who itemize deductions to claim donations for Haitian relief on their 2009 tax return, which will be filed this year, or their 2010 return, but not both.

2. To be eligible for a deduction on the 2009 return, donations must be made after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010.

3. Only cash (as opposed to property) contributions are eligible, and they must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.  Cash contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card may be claimed on your federal tax return.

4. In order to be deductible, contributions must be made to qualified charities and cannot be designated for the benefit of specific individuals or families.  Contributions made to foreign organizations generally are not deductible

 

For more information, see IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions and Publication 3833, Disaster Relief:  Providing Assistance through Charitable Organizations.