You would think tax benefits for donating food would be on firm ground. You would think.
Instead, they’ve been re-upped annually since coming into existence in 2006. Well, some Senators are trying to end that tenuous situation by making such hunger- and waste-alleviating tax incentives permanent. In addition, the law would also apply to farmers. At present, only incorporated farms are eligible for tax deductions for donating food.
A bi-partisan group 0f senators, led by Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. introduced the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act last week.
There’s already another good samaritan law, the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which protects donors from liability. It seems a fitting name, then, for an act that would further food donations–this time through tax breaks. Plenty in the food industry already donate food, but we can’t have enough help in fighting against the inertia, apathy and cheap landfill rates that make many food businesses avoid donating excess edible food.
Let’s hope that a bill helping businesses, the hungry and avoiding waste garners bi-partisan support. If it doesn’t, I’m not sure such a thing exists. Write your senator to help make sure it does!