Senate plans crackdown on charity abuses

Senate plans crackdown on charity abuses: "enate plans crackdown on charity abuses

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee is planning to crackdown on those who abuse charitable contributions.


Since 1995, the number of charities registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has grown from 1.3 million to 1.8 million, but the IRS audited just one in 149 charities in 2004, reported Forbes magazine.

'Congress is bound and determined to help rout out taxpayers who abuse the system,' warns Vaughn Henry, a charitable-gift consultant in Springfield, Ill.

The bi-partisan bill is expected to address contributions made to funds such as the charitable arms of Fidelity and Vanguard or a community foundation that can be tax deductible to the donor. Some donors are taking the deduction and "