My friend mentioned it last week, and today I read a good post from Outright detailing how your donations to the Haiti relief effort can be tax deductible for your 2009 return.

1. Federal law requires that you keep a record of any donations you make.
2. To be deductible, contributions must be made to qualified charities. Donations can not be designated for the benefit of a specific individual or family.
3. Generally contributions to foreign organizations are not deductible.
4. In order to claim charitable deductions, you must itemize your deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040.
5. A new law allows you to claim donations for Haitian relief on your 2009 tax return, which you will be filing in 2010.
6. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
7. To be eligible for a deduction on your 2009 tax return, donations must be made between Jan. 11, 2010 and March 1, 2010.
8. Only cash contributions will qualify to be deducted on your 2009 return under this new law.
9. Contributions made by text message, check, credit card or debit card qualify. For donations by text message, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the organization receiving your donation, the date of the contribution, and the amount given.
10. You have the option to take a deduction on either your 2009 or 2010 tax return, but not both.