House Passes Tax Relief for Charitable Donations to Philippines

Press Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today announced that legislation she co-sponsored to offer tax relief on charitable donations to the Philippines has passed the House of Representatives. The Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, H.R. 3771, will allow Americans who made donations for storm relief and recovery in the Philippines to deduct them from their 2013 taxes. Under this bill, donations must be made after the President signs this bill into law and before April 15, 2014 in order to qualify.

"In the past several months, people in Hawai"i and across the country have shown a tremendous outpouring of compassion and support for so many of our friends and family who were deeply impacted by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan." said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who spoke in support of the Philippines after the storm. "The legislation we passed in the House today will ease the tax burden for those who donated so generously to our friends and families in the Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan's destruction is almost incomprehensible, but the people of the Philippines have shown great resolve to move forward and rebuild their lives and their communities. I continue to pray for those who lost loved ones, and I encourage everyone to not forget that there is still so much work to be done, and to consider how we can help in their efforts."

The Senate has already passed a similar bill introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI). Legislation to provide tax incentives for charitable giving was also enacted following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

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