Obama Signs Haiti Tax Relief Bill
President Obama signed a bill on January 22, allowing taxpayers who make charitable contributions for the relief efforts in Haiti before March 1, 2010, to take a deduction in their 2009 tax returns.
As with all tax-deductible contributions, documentation is required to substantiate the date and amount of the contribution. The legislation contains a provision which permits a telephone bill to be used as documentation of contributions made by text message. The American Red Cross has set up a service to accept donations by text message. Texting the word "Haiti" to 90999 initiates a $10 donation to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief.
