Rep. Wasserman Schultz Votes to Spur Aid and Relief For Haiti

(Washington, DC) – Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted today to help earthquake victims in Haiti by offering an immediate benefit to Americans who provide charitable aid to the region. This bipartisan legislation will allow individuals to claim any donations to the relief effort as an itemized deduction on their 2009 tax return, instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 return.

“At a time when hardworking Americans are in need of financial relief, Americans realize that Haiti is in greater need. Americans have shown their compassion toward Haiti by donating both small and large contributions,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I am incredibly grateful to all of the Americans who are making selfless contributions to help Haiti recover from this disaster, and am confident this resolution will motivate even more support in the coming days and weeks.”

This measure will promote giving to Haiti, in the time when the region needs help the most, by providing Americans with an immediate income tax benefit that individuals can claim in 2009, instead of 2010. The bill would also make clear that the many taxpayers making contributions to Haiti earthquake victims through a text message will be able to rely on their cell phone bill when claiming a charitable donation.

In addition to passing this measure, the House of Representatives will also vote this week to pass a resolution expressing condolences to, and solidarity with, the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 12th, 2010.

“As a world leader, America is showing an outpouring of support for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “All donations, large and small, are helping to provide crucial necessities for this relief effort and will now be rewarded sooner with the option to claim donations on the 2009 tax return. Ultimately this resolution is another step taken to provide financial relief to American families during this difficult economic time”

In January of 2005, Congress enacted similar tax provisions for individuals that made charitable contributions to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in late December of 2004. That bill (H.R. 241 in the 109th Congress) passed the House of Representatives without objection and subsequently passed the Senate by unanimous consent.