Sean Donelan wrote:
On Mon, 8 Feb 2010, Steven Bellovin wrote:
As a matter of form, how might one check out the legitimacy of
requests like this? (No, I don't think this one is fake...)
Although folks on the ground are focused on doing good work, this is an
area where the reputation and infrastructure of well-known organizations
can be used to validate and coordinate fund raising.
Another good reason is so that the funds are tax-deductible. People are
willing to give more when they know they can get a tax break and most
corporations won't give anything unless it's a tax-deductible donation.
There are special rules for personal donations for Haiti this year - if
you donate by the end of February 2010 you can take the deduction off of
your 2009 tax return. This means you realize the tax benefit
more-or-less right away, rather than having to wait a year to see the
tax benefit realized with a bigger refund (or smaller amount owed) when
you file your taxes in 2011.
jc
