Charity-related tax deductions have been under consideration for many months by the Senate Finance Committee, and chairman Grassley has indicated a willingness to include a number of these provisions in the upcoming tax legislation. We ask you to contact your Senator to ask them to support the artists' provision in the legislation that would allow for tax deductions on charitable donations.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a constituent and member of the American Federation of Musicians, I would like to bring your attention to a matter that is of great importance to artists.

As you currently are negotiating charitable provisions that you will include in an upcoming tax bill, I urge you to include the artists' fair market value deduction which has passed the Senate four times. The provision would benefit the public by bringing works of contemporary creators- artists, writers, and composers- into the public domain. It would also provide fairness to those creators, who currently take no meaningful tax deduction when they give their own work regardless of its actual monetary value. The provision has bipartisan support and has no effect on tax revenues. Coupled with some reform measures that are included, like changes to appraisal and exempt-use rules for charitable gifts, the provision is revenue-neutral.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to sharing with my fellow AFM members that you have supported the artists' provision.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 27, 2006