Donations for Haiti

President Obama recently signed into law H.R. 4462 which allows taxpayers to claim a charitable deduction in the 2009 tax year for donations made after January 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010 for the relief of victims in areas affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. This new law applies only to contributions of cash (not property) and the contribution must otherwise meet the requirements for a charitable contribution. Cash contributions would include contributions made by text message, check, credit card, or debit card. 

Federal law requires the taxpayer keep a record of any deductible contributions made. For donations by text message, a copy of the telephone or wireless account bill must show the name of the donee organization, the date of the contribution, and the dollar amount. For other cash contributions, be sure to keep a bank record, such as a cancelled check, or a receipt from the charity showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution.

For additional information regarding Haiti donations, see this IRS release.

What are the specific requireqments for a charitable contribution? See this IRS publication for additional information.