Got Some FUR? HSUS Suggests A Tax Deduction

Ah, tax day has finally arrived.   If you’re like me, it’s not one of my favorite days of the year.   I hate numbers and I hate paying money…so why should I care anything about April 15th – the annual tax deadline.   Each year I place a lot of confidence in my accountant that he has figured the numbers correctly and secured every possible deduction available to reduce my obligation to both the state and federal governments.

But this year there is one deduction I can assure you that my accountant did NOT take.   In fact, I would rather pay TWICE my calculated obligation than to ever take advantage of a deduction like this.

Late last week the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) distributed the following News Release:

“…The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) points out that deductions might be hanging in your closets. That fur coat collecting dust because you don’t know what to do with a product made by an industry that kills animals for their fur could reduce your 2005 income taxes if you donate it to The HSUS. The organization will then give the fur back to the animals by using the garments to help comfort orphaned and injured wildlife.”

Note the section that I underlined.   This press release could very easily have pushed their need for collecting fur for orphaned animals without lashing out at hunters, trappers and the fur industry in general.   But the underlined verbiage is intended to GUILT readers into discarding that terrible garment…and in the process, why not do so for a tax-deductible donation?

“In 2004, The HSUS received 800 furs with a combined value of over $100,000….   The HSUS accepts all fur and fur trimmed apparel, including shearling. Fur accessories including hats, gloves, scarves and muffs are also accepted.   Animals need their fur more than we do.

Some consumers donate after learning about the inherent animal suffering involved in trapping, caging, and killing fur-bearers for their skin. Others donate after inheriting a fur or fur trimmed garment because they have no intention of ever wearing something inhumane, frivilous(sic) and unnecessary.”

I might have also added to that news release that some people donate because they are too naive and emotionally unstable to recognize fur is a natural commodity, much like cotton is to the garment industry.   When you are constantly bombarded with messages by irrational people who insist you dress or eat a certain way, your real view of the world gradually becomes cloudy and skewed.   Still, you can now wrap yourself up in the warm and fuzzy feelings the coat once gave you by giving it away…giving it back to the animals who should have kept it in the first place…you miserable scum for ever owning fur or leather.  (said with a certain sarcastic jest)

Speaking of leather…why does their program not allow us to give something back to the cows?   Surely there has to be a baby calf somewhere that would like to nuzzle up to an old leather coat, perhaps sacrificed by grand pappy.   How many leather coats or pairs of shoes we could clear out of our closets if they would only include leather in their program?   But, apparently not.

“If you plan to itemize tax deductions, you can claim the fair market value—the amount you could sell the fur for today—for your donation. Furs valued at $5,000 or more must have a "qualified appraisal," according to the IRS.”

Okay, does anyone else see some irony here?   The HSUS suggests you can claim the fair market value for the donation.   But in their eyes should a coat or garment taken in such a cruel manner from an animal have ANY VALUE?   I mean let’s be serious…the whole notion behind the program is to donate a coat for a tax deduction.   But if you truly embrace HSUS principles should that fur garment have any market value?   NOPE.   To claim market value, and thus a tax donation, is to violate your very own ethical principles which should, therefore, also violate taxation law.   

IRS Attestation Statement:   “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct and complete.”

By signing as a do-gooder, you are claiming a deduction for which you do not honestly believe exists.

Let’s face it…in reality this “donate a fur program” accomplishes two main objectives.   First, it gets furs and garments made with fur out of the mainstream fashion circles where they could possibly be worn – serving as an emotional victory for the HSUS types.   More importantly, a news release, such as this one that is picked up by unsuspecting media types around the country, primarily serves to promote an agenda that philosophically contrasts with what the mainstream world believes to be true.   It’s time the HSUS agenda is exposed for what it is…pure garbage!

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.