The conventional thinking is that most people who donate to places of worship are not primarily motivated by tax benefits.<\/p>\n
For many, giving is a core value based on religious teachings and a sense of gratitude.<\/p>\n
This could be the year when those assumptions are put to a test.<\/p>\n
The new federal tax law has cut taxes for working American families, but it also could have the unintended consequence of reducing the financial incentive for many people to donate to religious and charitable organizations.<\/p>\n
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy estimates roughly 30 million households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 will be less likely to itemize deductions on their taxes due to the new law. With less incentive to donate, researchers predict the amount those households give will decline.<\/p>\n
\u201cTax incentives do affect how much people give,\u201d said Una Osili, associate dean for research. \u201cIf it is more expensive to give, they give less.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Religious institutions of all sorts wait to see what #TaxReform<\/a> does to their place in people's budgets https:\/\/t.co\/8KD43p8X48<\/a> @PittsburghPG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LoVWhlXTWn<\/a><\/p>\n — Teresa Lindeman (@pg_tlindeman) May 3, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n