COVID Relief Bill Includes Lankford’s Provisions for America’s Nonprofits and Houses of Worship

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), member of the Senate Committee on Finance and Senate Committee on Appropriations, applauded the extension of a proposal that he successfully advocated for under the CARES Act, to allow a $300 deduction ($600 for those filing jointly) for charitable giving on federal income taxes in the latest COVID relief package, which the Senate is set to vote on later today.

“Americans are at our best when we are helping each other. Our nation’s nonprofits and houses of worship have walked with families and served communities throughout this difficult year,” said Lankford. “They know names and stories of each individual they serve. But, this year’s pandemic has stretched nonprofits thin as they work to serve the homeless, hungry, and hurting in our nation. I’m grateful we’ll continue to empower nonprofits by including a charitable giving proposal that I have long supported in the latest relief bill to incentivize giving to nonprofits by allowing a $300 charitable deduction for individuals and $600 charitable deduction for families on their federal taxes. Every person in our nation can give to the charity of their choice and get a direct benefit on their taxes at the end of the year while those in need get a direct benefit from their assistance right now.”

Lankford supported several targeted COVID relief bills that came to the floor earlier this year. In October, he voted to support $500 billion coronavirus relief package that focused on COVID-19 testing and vaccines, additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), unemployment benefit support, and $100 billion for schools so children and staff can return safely. After pushing for targeted COVID relief in September, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor in support of getting resources to families, charities, schools, and small businesses. In August, he highlighted his priorities for getting relief to Oklahomans, specifically through PPP and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and individual assistance payments.

In June, Lankford introduced a bill that would allow an above-the-line deduction for charitable giving up to one-third the standard deduction (around $4,000 for an individual filer and $8,000 for married joint filers) for those who do not itemize on their tax returns.

###