Jewish organizational officials were among more than 40 nonprofit officials who testified in Congress in support of keeping the charitable tax deduction.
Congressional officials are considering changes to the tax code to raise revenue and have targeted tax loopholes. Republicans have championed curtailing the charitable deduction; the Obama administration wants to lower the deduction from 35 percent to 28 percent.
William Daroff, the top Washington official for the Jewish Federations of North America, was among those who testified Feb. 14 before the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. He said the charitable deduction was critical in funding Jewish relief programs.
“Proposals to limit the value of the charitable contribution deduction, place a dollar cap on total tax deductions, or transform the charitable deduction into a credit with artificial floors and ceilings would result in less giving and therefore cripple charities that strive to remain at the forefront of the fight to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and heal the sick,” Daroff said. — jta