Tsunami Aid Tax Deductible

President Bush on Friday signed legislation allowing people who donate to Indian Ocean tsunami relief to claim deductions on their 2004 tax returns, if they write the check before the end of the month.

The bill, passed by voice vote in both the House and Senate, was aimed at encouraging private donations for relief operations. Without the law, taxpayers would have had to wait until next year to claim a tax deduction for contributions made this month.

Bush signed the bill without comment. But, during an event in Michigan on Friday, he praised the relief effort — after receiving a firsthand report from his brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who traveled this week in the region devastated by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami.

"Jeb tells me of the extraordinary efforts that are being made on behalf of the suffering people by our aid workers and most particularly by our United States military," Bush said. "Our military is flying chopper lift after chopper lift after chopper lift to get needed supplies to help alleviate the incredible suffering that has gone on. I am proud of the efforts we have made."

Bush is to hear Monday from Secretary of State Colin Powell on what the United States should do next, beyond its $350 million commitment so far.

Meanwhile, an Associated Press poll finds that almost three in 10 Americans say they have donated to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. The AP was taken as the private total begins to approach the amount given by the government.

Despite the outpouring, the amount still pales in comparison to the donations in the days following the Sept. 11 attacks. But much more is expected. Twenty-nine percent say they have given for tsunami aid; an additional 37 percent say they plan to.

"It's heartbreaking," said Charla Mear, a 52-year-old mother of two from Manitou Springs, Colo. who said she had contributed $150. "People should give money if they have it. We're all humans, we should all treat each other as humans. Those children who have no parents, have nothing — the devastation on their faces is just terrible."

About three-quarters of those who said they had donated gave less than $100. About 5 percent said they had given $500 or more, according to the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs.

About one-third of those who said they had given could not specify how much, perhaps raising some doubt about their answer.

"People might feel pressure to give the socially correct answer when being interviewed," said Robert Shapiro, a public opinion specialist at Columbia University. "We know that a lot of people are giving money. People might feel it puts them in an awkward situation to say they haven't."

Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy, which tracks donations, estimated $322 million in cash and goods had been contributed by U.S. corporations, foundations and individuals as of Friday. The government has pledged $350 million.

The total in private donations is about 40 percent of what had been given to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks almost two weeks after the hijackings, said Gene Tempel, executive director of the Center of Philanthropy. The difference is understandable, Tempel said.

"On Sept. 11, our country was attacked. It was almost un-American not to respond," he said. "Three-fourths of the public eventually contributed something."

Tempel said the level of donations is likely to increase as independent groups are formed to raise money. Two ex-presidents renowned for their fund-raising prowess — Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush — have been recruited to spur giving.

The tsunami donations will be among the largest ever for an overseas disaster, Tempel said, but exact information on donation totals for past crises is sketchy. Continuing media coverage will be a key to the total raised, he said.

"We've seen tsunami waves from one angle or another endlessly, people clinging to trees, it touches us," he said.

Sara Mehaffey, a 29-year-old attorney from Burleson, Texas, said she was thinking about making a donation but worried about charity scams. "I haven't done enough research to know exactly what they're going to do with the money."

The FBI, several states and consumer watchdog agencies have issued warnings, noting that an outpouring of generosity has opened the door for con artists who want to prey upon American philanthropy.

Tempel said it's best to donate to well-known organizations with a solid background of good works.

People who have attended college were twice as likely to say they had contributed as those with a high school education or less. Men were more likely than women to say they would not donate.

"I feel like we've already been donating," said David Mitchell, a rancher who lives near Hobbs, N.M., who doesn't plan to donate. "The government's paying something to the victims and we pay taxes. I donate to my church and for local stuff."

The AP-Ipsos poll of 1,001 adults was taken Jan. 3-5 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.