After Meeting with Local Charities, Ruppersberger Announces Support for Bill to Increase Donations

(Timonium, MD) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) on Thursday announced support for legislation to mitigate a sharp decrease in charitable giving expected under the new tax reform bill after meeting with nonprofit organizations serving his constituents. The Congressman spent the day touring Red Cross facilities in Baltimore and having coffee with local advocates from the Alzheimer's Association.

More than 80 percent of all charitable giving comes from Americans who itemize their tax returns. The independent Tax Policy Center estimates that, of the 45 million households likely to have itemized last year, only about 7 million of them will do so under the new law, instead taking the now-larger standard deduction. Some experts believe charitable giving could decrease by $13 billion with the changes.

“While Congress is in recess, my job is to be in the district, learning first-hand how my constituents are affected by federal policy,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Local charities who serve the Second District are very concerned about the standard deduction increase and its impact on their bottom lines. That’s why I am proud to announce support for legislation that will reverse some of these consequences at a time when our hospitals, universities and religious institutions need help the most.”

This week, Congressman Ruppersberger will become the first Democratic cosponsor of a bill that gives charitable giving a special status as a “universal deduction” that could be claimed on top of the standard deduction, even by those who do not itemize.  H.R. 3988, the Universal Charitable Giving Act of 2017, allows a deduction up to one-third of the now-doubled standard deduction, which equals about $2,100 for individuals and $4,200 for married couples.

“The two charities I met with today rely almost exclusively on donations and they need Americans to give now more than ever,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “This bill gives all Americans an incentive to donate to charity – not just the wealthy – and I am urging my colleagues to join in my support.”