WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues in passing legislation to accelerate the tax benefit for charitable cash contributions made for the benefit of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  Rehberg is an original cosponsor of this legislation.  Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

“If we can make it a little easier to help those in dire need of assistance in Haiti, Congress has an obligation to act,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.  “This bill is a small fix that can have big ramifications for families that may want to give now, even when they are struggling themselves.”

This bill permits taxpayers to treat charitable contributions of cash made between January 11 and March 1, 2010 to be counted as if they were made in 2009. This gives taxpayers the opportunity to accelerate the tax benefit by claiming the charitable deduction on their 2009 returns.  The bill is similar to a provision enacted in the aftermath of the 2005 Indian Ocean tsunami.

“Jan and I continue to pray for the people of Haiti,” said Rehberg.  “Like so many Montanans, I’m ready to help in any way that I can.”