Americans for Prosperity Supports Gift Tax Deduction Bill

On behalf of more than 2.8 million Americans for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I write in strong support of the Fair Treatment for All Donations Act (H.R. 1104). Your legislation would prohibit the IRS from selectively applying the federal gift tax to contributions to certain tax-exempt organizations.

In 2011, the IRS initiated unprecedented audits of donors to tax-exempt organizations, apparently with the intent of imposing gift taxes on their donations. While the 2011 effort was halted when Congress launched inquiries, taxpayers remain vulnerable. The IRS's history of improper targeting shows that the agency is capable of selectively applying tax rules.

Leaving the IRS discretion to decide where to apply the gift tax means that unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats have the power to limit speech. Selective application would be an affront to free speech protections under the first amendment, one of the bedrock principles of our nation's founding. People and organizations should not be silenced because of their political beliefs -- certainly not by applying taxes in an inconsistent way. Your legislation would prevent them from doing so.

AFP is proud to support the Fair Treatment for All Donations Act (H.R. 1104). We urge your colleagues to support its passage, and we look forward to working with you on this important legislation.