I'm puzzled by a lack of discussion by elected leaders and the media about how President Trump's proposed tax changes might affect charities.
I believe that two proposed changes might reduce charitable giving significantly. Those two changes are increasing the standard deduction and eliminating deductions for state and local taxes.
Although I don't have statistical data to support my concerns, it seems to me that the two changes I just mentioned will eliminate itemized deductions for charitable gifts for many current charitable donors. Why? Many more taxpayers would likely use the standard deduction, and for those taxpayers, charitable giving would generally be done without getting a tax benefit for their gifts.
Sanderson lives in Moorhead.
