Effect of Increased Limits on Charitable Contributions - Look to the U.K. for a Preview

A recent flurry of articles (see here, here, and here) address the tax relief policy announced last month in U.K. that would limit a taxpayer's donations to £50,000 or a quarter of their income, whichever is larger.  A U.K. Treasury spokesperson stated that the policy "was justified to stop very wealthy people arranging their finances to pay very little tax."  The government is further asserting that the proposed ceiling will only affect donors, not charitable recipients.  Philanthropists are cautioning that the government's proposed caps on charitable contributions would create a "funding crisis" for the country's charities and philanthropic efforts.

It appears that Prime Minister David Cameron is retreating from the proposed limitations.  Nevertheless, the discussion is very similar to the one that has taken place in the United States with respect to President Obama's proposed limitations on the charitable contributions deduction for wealthier Americans, as previously blogged herein.

NAM