Donors to Haiti relief efforts get early tax break

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed a bill that gives an early tax break to those who have donated to Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

Pawlenty signed the bill into law on Tuesday.

It allows those who donated to relief efforts in Haiti to deduct charitable contributions on their 2009 state income taxes instead of waiting until next year. It applies to donations made between Jan. 11 and March 1.

It also lets corporations deduct donations to Haiti from corporate franchise taxes.

The change matches state law with federal tax law.

The estimated cost to the state this year is $80,000.

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