On Giving Tuesday, American generosity is on full display. Millions of Americans will display their generosity by giving to organizations providing meals, housing, disaster relief, educational opportunities and other vital services. Funds raised today and throughout the holiday season are critical to the wide array of services charities provide as they work to strengthen individuals, families and our communities.
As the year end approaches, the Charitable Giving Coalition urges Congress to pursue policies that will encourage Americans to be even more generous.
Americans give primarily to make a positive difference in people’s lives, help those in need, and support important causes. But tax incentives like the charitable deduction encourage Americans to #GiveMore. While the impulse to give comes from the heart, research confirms that tax incentives influence how much is given to charity.
Currently, only 10 percent of Americans receive the benefit and incentive of deducting charitable gifts from their income at tax time. We think it should be 100 percent.
This is why the Charitable Giving Coalition strongly supports legislation that would provide a charitable giving incentive to all Americans. A universal charitable deduction will democratize giving by encouraging all American taxpayers – regardless of income – to give to charity.
Current universal charitable deduction bills include:
- H.R. 1260, introduced by Ways and Means Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL);
- H.R. 651 (Charitable Giving Tax Deduction Act), introduced by Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Chris Smith (R-NJ); and
- Universal Charitable Giving Act, introduced by Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC).
These three bills would incentivize all Americans to give more to charity.
The Charitable Giving Coalition urges Congress to enact a universal charitable deduction so that Americans will #GiveMore to support the vital work of charities—on Giving Tuesday and beyond.