So, celebrities are contributing $$ to the tsunami relief fund

[zbdent]

and I heard that Michael Schumacher donated $10M.

So, the real question:

Has anybody heard how much Arnold, Bruce Willis, or any of the NASCAR guys have contributed? Or are they waiting for the legislation to say that this is all tax-deductible?

[imenja]

1. it is tax deductible

Charitable contributions have been for a very long time.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Not ALL charitable contributions

tax laws were changed several years ago.

[imenja]

5. such as?

deductions to legitimate charities are. There are various limits based on the amount you donate and whether you have receipts or an appraisal for goods you donate. The Red Cross, Oxfam, CARE and the various charities associated with the Tsunami relief efforts all qualify.
Political donations are not considered charitable contributions.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. You have to research

to find out if your donation is tax deductible. Not all are. Most used to be. That is all I was trying to say.

[Skittles]

13. I'm single and file EZ

no tax deductions for me

[imenja]

16. true

you have to itemize. That was not the case a few years ago.

[Skittles]

17. I've never been able to itemize

don't understand why they discriminate on charitable deductions

[imenja]

18. agreed

it reduces the incentive for people to contribute.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

19. For a few years, non-itemizers could deduct charitable

contributions.

That perk was taken away in the 1986 tax "reform" in order to pay for breaks for corporations.

[Skittles]

20. certainly doesn't reduce my incentive - I am a Democrat

:D

[imenja]

21. yes, but on a national level it does

not necessarily for you as an individual.

[Pepperbelly]

3. Sandra Bulloch threw in a million bucks.

Go, Sandra, go!

:toast:

[TrustingDog]

4. actually, I would rather not hear about any of their donations....

if it's done in secret, it's a true donation, if it's done in self promotion... there's a bit of uncomfortableness about it - but then again it does challenge your peers.

[zbdent]

6. True, and the MSM tends to let slide the RW charges that people like

Sandra are doing it for self-promotion.

However, how would the self-promotion help Arnold now? He's in good, and likely to be tagged as a future Presidential candidate (pending constitutional change). Put him in a movie, and he can name his price. Besides, don't you think that he could put one of his hummers on eBay with his autograph and raise the money for the fund?

And another point - when a person says that they donated, but don't want to say how much, can you even believe them about the amount? Repukes could donate a dollar (if that) "in secret" and claim, rightfully, that they donated to the cause . . .

[nursebear]

7. I think...

I agree, donations should be done in private... but once it "leaks" that a few big stars have donated a couple of mil, you'll hear more and more stars donating.

I also suspect that some of the musical artists will shortly put together a concert where all revenue will go to Red Cross or some other charity.

Much like what happened about what was it, a month or two after 9-11 a telethon with all different types of artists and actors was put on and they raised several millions of dollars for the victims of that tragedy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Just heard on CNN

That they are trying to put a concert together but no bands have agreed to play yet.

[Orangepeel]

15. some publicity is a good thing

it might get others to donate, too. Besides, I'll trade a little admiration for $10 million dollars going toward helping the victims of such a tragedy

[Twillig]

8. Schumi

Schumacher has either donated ten million dollars or ten million euros from what i've gleaned. That would come out to 13+ million dollars.

He always gives big(in the millions) to UNICEF each year, too.

:thumbsup:

If he is out to shame some people into giving I'd say he is as brutal in donating as he is in driving!

[fujiyama]

11. Schumacher is the race car driver right?

Good for him and Sandra Bullock or whomever else gives.

I don't care if it's partly done for publicity. The people need the money and that's all that matters.

[Skittles]

14. I don't care if they brag about it

the money is the same on the other end regardless

[demosincebirth]

12. Humility is donating a large amount and not let anyone know about it.

Pretty tough to do.