Charitable Giving Incentives Made Permanent

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In December, both houses of Congress voted to make permanent key tax incentives that promote, encourage and reward charitable giving. This historic legislation included three critical provisions that motivate small businesses to donate food, landowners to conserve land and individual citizens to make charitable donations through their retirement accounts.

Oregon Senator and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden expressed his strong support for permanency this week: “Charities can [now] confidently plan and expand the good work they do,” he said in a statement. Sen. Wyden’s work with Senate leadership was key in passing the tax legislation.

Also included in the bill are provisions to make the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, ends years of repeated expiration and reinstatement of these charitable giving incentives which will allow nonprofits to focus on other mission-critical services.

“For Oregon Food Bank, these incentives are critical, as we work with agricultural donors to provide a consistent and dependable supply of nutritious food to people experiencing hunger,” Susannah Morgan, CEO of Oregon Food Bank.

Kelley Beamer, Executive Director of the Coalition for Oregon Land Trusts noted, “The land conservation incentive will increase the pace of conservation, helping to ensure we continue to value and protect our natural resources for future generations of Oregonians.”

“Making the IRA charitable rollover tool permanent will allow Oregonians to be able to contribute meaningfully to community foundations, social service programs, religious organizations, arts and culture institutions, schools and health care providers,” said CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, Jeff Clarke.

“This is an issue we have been watching and working on for years. Making these incentives permanent will help nonprofits in Oregon tremendously by ensuring a continued pipeline of donations and contributions which will in turn allow them to fulfill their vital missions,” said Jim White, Executive Director of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.

Four key partners including the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, the  Oregon Food Bank, Philanthropy Northwest, and the Nonprofit Association of Oregon have been working with national coalition partners to advocate for the passage of this important piece of legislation and are happy to see this critical legislation passed.
– Nonprofit Association of Oregon