WASHINGTON, DC – The Charitable Giving Coalition (CGC) commends the leadership of Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE), along with Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Danny Davis (D-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and Chris Pappas (D-NH), for reintroducing the bipartisan Charitable Act (H.R. 801)—a critical piece of legislation that encourages all American taxpayers, regardless of income, to give more to charitable organizations that support communities in need. The Charitable Act would allow taxpayers who do not itemize to deduct up to $5,000 annually in charitable donations ($10,000 for joint filers).
“We are grateful to Senators Lankford and Coons and Representatives Moore, Davis, Miller, and Pappas for their steadfast commitment to supporting charitable giving,” said Brian Flahaven, Chair of the Charitable Giving Coalition. “A charitable deduction for non-itemizers has proven to generate additional giving, allowing millions of Americans to contribute more to local soup kitchens, homeless and domestic abuse shelters, disaster relief organizations, schools, cultural organizations, and religious congregations—among countless other essential charities.”
The CGC and its members have long advocated for expanding charitable giving incentives. The temporary charitable deduction for non-itemizers enacted in 2020 and 2021 demonstrated the power of such an incentive, leading to increased generosity across income levels. In 2020 alone, 42 million taxpayers utilized the deduction to contribute $10.9 billion to charities, with a quarter of those who took the $300 deduction earning less than $30,000.
By restoring and making permanent this critical giving incentive, the Charitable Act will ensure that all Americans—whether they itemize or not—have the opportunity and motivation to give back to their communities.
“The data is clear: providing a charitable deduction for non-itemizers increases giving, particularly among small donors. We look forward to working with our champions in Congress to ensure that this vital provision is included in tax reform legislation,” Flahaven added.