[painter]

"have the same concerns. For many, the only thing that keeps them supporting charities that do so much good in our society is to get a tax break. If the flat tax were to exclude charitable donations, the charity system as we know it would collapse."

Nonsense!I don't give to charities just so I can get a tax cut. Thats DUMB!!,And I doubt 99% of everyone else does either.

[Tigerjam]

Most people I know give to charities for tax reasons. Should they be giving to charities for this reason? No, in my opinion. However, this is the case for alot of people. I congratulate you on giving based on the goodness of your heart. However, to think that "99%" of other give based solely out of goodness of their heart, you are wrong.

[rwrcpa1]

A large majority of taxpayers do not itemize deductions so they can't take the charitable contribution deduction anyway. Under the fair tax 100% of the money you give to charity is tax free.

[phil_will1]

"Nonsense!I don't give to charities just so I can get a tax cut. Thats DUMB!!,And I doubt 99% of everyone else does either."

Thank you for that rational comment. I posed that question to a congressman I met with last year who was concerned about that very thing. He said that he gave money to his church. I asked him if he would stop doing that if the tax deduction were eliminated. His response was no, he wouldn't, but other people would. I have never met a single one of the people who would.

The purpose of the charitable contributions deduction is so that you pay it with pre-tax dollars. With the FairTax, you pay everything with pre-tax dollars. Charitable contributions are not taxed under the FairTax, just as they are not now.

In addition, research has shown that having money in your pocket is a greater inducement to give than are tax deductions and with no income taxes and a vibrant rapidly growing economy, charities will have never had it so good.