House Passes Tax Breaks For Gifts To Haiti

WASHINGTON -The House has passed a bill allowing taxpayers to write off donations to Haiti earthquake relief efforts when they file their 2009 taxes this spring.

Under current law, donors would have to wait until they file their 2010 returns next year to take the deductions. The bill would allow donations made by the end of February to be deducted from 2009 returns.

Last week’s quake killed an estimated 200,000 people in Haiti.

The bill passed the on a voice vote Wednesday, with no opposition.

The Senate is expected to vote on the measure soon.