: "Tax breaks for Katrina donors

By MARY DEIBEL
Scripps Howard News Service
October 04, 2005

WASHINGTON - Don't have deep pockets to help with hurricane relief? Donate time, vacation days or frequent-flier miles instead.

Under temporary rules, the Internal Revenue Service will let taxpayers donate unused vacation, leave or sick days for workers whose employers agree to send cash payments to charities that are offering help to Hurricane Katrina victims through 2006.

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson says the program stands to save money for employers and employees, especially the two-thirds of taxpayers who don't itemize and don't get to take the charity deduction."