campaign donation, not tax deductable?

[geronimotwo]

i just made my second donation to RP, and noticed this below the donate button.

Contributions or gifts to Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

has the tax law changed, or has it always been this way?

[Monkeyleg]

It's been that way for as long as I can remember. I don't think contributions were even deductible before the campaign finance laws were put in place after Nixon.

[Perd Hapley]

Been that way for a long time.

[Scout26]

IIRC, and someone may want to look this up and double check, but, I believe that bribes and kickbacks are....

[Monkeyleg]

They are if they're contributions to Obama. You just pay your union dues, deduct them on your taxes and--voila!--they wind up in Obama's campaign account.

Actually, I don't think campaign contributions have ever been deductible.

[geronimotwo]

didn't there used to be a little box on the tax returns for donating to the next presidential election?  as i recall it didn't cost you anything on your return, so it was essentially tax free. 

[Monkeyleg]

didn't there used to be a little box on the tax returns for donating to the next presidential election?  as i recall it didn't cost you anything on your return, so it was essentially tax free.

There still is a checkbox for $3 to go to a general fund for campaigns, but it's not a deduction.

[geronimotwo]

it says "checking a box below will not change your tax or refund".  in effect that is a $3 tax credit, as your not changing your final bill, and still giving the donation.