The charitable deduction, especially its fair market value deduction for certain property, is one of the biggest tax scams in the IRC (Internal Revenue Code.) Section 170 allows the charitable deduction from income for federal income tax purposew and then the states adopt it through their definition of state taxable income.
The vast majority of people give to charity with a charitable intent. YES, charitable contributions will go DOWN at first, as some people gift to charity solely for the tax deduction.
But WHY are their neighbors taxes going UP when the charity that “deducter” gave to is an offensive activity to the neighbor? This scam has allowed multi-billionaires to impose on the entire country outrageous policies that are tearing the country apart. George Soros is a major supporter of the OPEN BORDER policy that is a violation of American Law and yet he takes charitable deductions while promoting that lawlessness.
Almost every charity is an offensive entity to someone who finds what they do reprehensible. If you agree with the cause, you can be certain there are many others who oppose it.
PBS & NPR are extremely political entities. If people want them to continue, they are free to gift them a contribution. They don’t need a tax deduction at the expense of their neighbors, to survive. Shouldn’t their neighbors have the option to donate to a similar outfit that takes the opposite view?
Ending the charitable deduction will ultimately not change the contributions much. Early in my career, I prepared thousands of tax returns. The vast majority of the deductions on those returns were given for the charitable purpose intended, NOT for the tax deduction.
Similarly, the NGO (Non Governmental Organization) needs to be weened off of their inherent government funding scam. NGO’s should be banned from receiving any funds from a governmental entity. The corruption is thick in this element of 21st century America. Crony Socialism is beautifully exhibited by the funding and policy initiatives of the NGOs. They are usually overpaid, for a policy objective that is typically obscured, and the “benefit” to society would be far more effectively provided by a government agency in the city or town where they are administering their assigned task.
NEVER should the Federal government dare to issue charitable funds on behalf “of the country” when there is no conceivable way such could ever be expressed. That YOUR party is in control, and YOU believe in a particular cause is an excellent example of tyranny by the majority. Charity is in the hearts and minds of individuals and should never be feigned by a government or corporation on behalf “of all.”