Miller, Colleagues Re-introduce Legislation to Support Local Communities and Incentivize Charitable Giving

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and three other House colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Charitable Act to encourage Americans to donate to charitable causes and support local communities.

"People donate to charities out of the kindness of their hearts, the last thing they should have to worry about is paying taxes on their generous contributions. I am joining my colleagues in introducing the Charitable Act which will ensure that individuals, no matter their income, can receive a charitable deduction and in turn will continue donating to organizations, churches, or other good causes to help those within their communities or across the country," said Congresswoman Miller.

"Supporting local communities and giving to charities is integral to enhancing the lives of all Americans and the causes they care most about. The Charitable Act will enable more Americans to give back by empowering all individuals regardless of their income to contribute by helping charities, nonprofits, and religious organizations provide vital services that go far beyond the government's reach. Generosity and service are defining characteristics of Utahns across the Beehive State, and I am honored to introduce legislation that will help more people contribute to the causes closest to their hearts," said Congressman Moore.

Click here for bill text

Background:

• The Charitable Act extends and expands the expired charitable deduction for those who do not itemize on their tax returns, ensuring that every American who donates or tithes is able to benefit from both the standard deduction and the charitable deduction. Specifically, this legislation would raise the previous $300/$600 cap on the non-itemizer deduction to 1/3 of the standard deduction, equal to roughly $4,500 for individuals, $9,000 for joint filers.
• This provision was first included in the CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. The policy resulted in 90 million tax returns utilizing the deduction, and households making between $30,000 and $100,000 saw the largest increase in charitable giving. Charitable organizations received $30 billion in increased donations as a result.
• Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.
• This bill is supported by numerous organizations including National Council of Nonprofits (25,000 member organizations), Charitable Giving Coalition (175 member organizations), the Nonprofit Alliance, Faith & Giving Coalition, Leadership 18, Independent Sector, YMCA, Council on Foundations, American Endowment Foundation, Philanthropy Southwest, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, United Philanthropy Forum, National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Association of Art Museum Directors, ECFA, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Americans for the Arts, American Heart Association, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, Maryland Nonprofits, Boys and Girls Club of America, March of Dimes, and Habitat for Humanity.