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Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: geronimotwo on March 31, 2012, 03:08:53 PM

Title: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: geronimotwo on March 31, 2012, 03:08:53 PM
i just made my second donation to RP, and noticed this below the donate button.

Quote
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?
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: Monkeyleg on March 31, 2012, 03:21:56 PM
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.
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: Perd Hapley on March 31, 2012, 04:24:41 PM
Been that way for a long time.
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: Scout26 on March 31, 2012, 05:11:36 PM
IIRC, and someone may want to look this up and double check, but, I believe that bribes and kickbacks are....
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: Monkeyleg on March 31, 2012, 05:14:42 PM
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.
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: geronimotwo on April 01, 2012, 01:22:06 PM
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. 
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: Monkeyleg on April 01, 2012, 02:08:12 PM
Quote
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.
Title: Re: campaign donation, not tax deductable?
Post by: geronimotwo on April 02, 2012, 10:09:01 AM
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.