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DEDUCT NOW, PAY LATER

December 29, 2006

If you are still looking for a last-minute deduction, remember: charitable donations made with credit cards before the end of the day December 31 are deductible this year, even if you don't pay your credit card bill until next year. Many charities make it easy to donate on their websites. Here are a few:

Salvation Army

American Diabetes Association

Alzheimer's Association

National Parkinson's Foundation

Your alma mater would appreciate some help:

Cornell College

Southern Illinois University Foundation

Drake University

University of Northern Iowa

Iowa State University

University of Iowa

Or you can give "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan" at one of these sites:

Soldier's Angels

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

The United Warrior Survivor Foundation

Naval Special Warfare Foundation

USO

If you want your gift to be close to home, consider the Iowa Donor Network, the organization that coordinates organ donations in Iowa; and the Hospice of Central Iowa.

If your favorite charity isn't set up to take online gifts, you probably can still get them an online contribution by visiting the Network for Good website.

If you are trying strictly to save money, charitable donations aren't for you; a tax deduction at best reduces the cost of your donation. But if you are willing to give to help others, the tax man will make it a little easier.

 • 2006 year-end tax planning       Bookmark: del.icio.us • Digg • reddit