FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2014
Contact: Chelsea Wilson
(202) 225-4111
Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act Signed into Law
Washington, D.C. – Legislation co-sponsored by Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) that would accelerate tax relief for Americans making charitable donations in support of Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines has been signed into law by President Obama. The bipartisan Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act allows those who donate to the relief efforts between March 25 and before April 15 to take the charitable deduction when they file their 2013 tax returns.
“I applaud the passage of this bill,” said Royce. “The damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan has been truly devastating for the Filipino people. Many are still struggling to find clean water, food, and shelter for their families. Contributions are still desperately needed to help continue the rebuilding efforts and this bill encourages those who can donate to do so.”
While taxpayers can claim a tax deduction for contributions they make to charities, without this law they receive the tax incentive many months later, after they file their returns the following year. The Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act eliminates this delay and encourages additional donations to the relief efforts.
Note: In February, Representative Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led a bipartisan delegation of eight members to the Philippines and visited Tacloban, the city devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. In November of last year, Representative Royce introduced H.Res. 404, a resolution that expresses deep sympathy and support to the people of the Philippines for the terrible loss of life and massive destruction as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. Additionally, Representative Royce is a member of the Congressional U.S. – Philippine Friendship Caucus and led the charge in Congress to allow USAID to purchase, in the Philippines, part of the grain and relief distributed to typhoon victims.
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