Reforming Charitable Tax Incentives: Assessing Evidence and Policy Options

The federal tax treatment of charitable giving and the nonprofit sector is at an inflection point. Following enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, the number of taxpayers who will claim a charitable deduction will decline substantially. What does that mean for charitable giving and the nonprofit sector? What principles should guide tax policies affecting the nonprofit sector, and what are the policy options going forward? This brief summarizes these and other questions discussed at a recent roundtable—comprised of national experts on the issues of tax policy and charitable giving, including researchers, academics, government administrators, and charitable organizations—cohosted by the Tax Policy Center and Independent Sector.