CASE Announces Support for a Universal Charitable Deduction
For the past 100 years, U.S. tax policy, through the charitable tax deduction, has encouraged individuals to make philanthropic gifts to colleges, universities and independent schools. These charitable donations, which support student scholarships, faculty positions, research, facilities and other academic programs and initiatives, help educational institutions provide transformational learning opportunities.
Currently, though, the charitable deduction is only available to the roughly 30 percent of U.S. taxpayers who itemize their tax returns. If lawmakers enact the tax proposals being discussed on Capitol Hill—all of which include a significant increase in the standard deduction threshold—only 5 percent of U.S. taxpayers would be able to deduct their charitable gifts. The result would be a significant decline in charitable giving to educational institutions and other charitable organizations, according to a new study commissioned by Independent Sector.
CASE supports a universal charitable deduction, which would provide a charitable giving incentive to everyone by allowing taxpayers to subtract charitable gifts from their income before they determine whether to take the standard deduction or itemize their tax returns. The Independent Sector study, conducted by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, found that the inclusion of the universal charitable deduction in tax reform would result in a $4.8 billion increase in charitable giving.
Imagine the positive impact that such an increase in charitable giving would have on our lives and our communities.
This also is a topic on which the vast majority of voters—regardless of political affiliation—agree. Three-quarters of voters want to expand the charitable deduction so that taxpayers can take advantage of the deduction regardless of income and whether or not they itemize their taxes, according to a recent Independent Sector poll.
CASE strongly believes that U.S. tax policy should encourage everyone, regardless of their income, to make philanthropic gifts to colleges, universities, independent schools and other charities. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the charitable deduction, we urge President Trump and Congress to expand this important giving incentive to everyone by enacting a universal charitable deduction.
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.
