Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

It's Our Tax Money Going to Helmsley's Dogs

Charitable donation laws subsidize the whims of the rich

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2008 8:27 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Leona Helmsley’s latest post-mortem shocker—the revelation that she earmarked $8 billion of her charitable bequest for dog welfare—is a perfect illustration of the insanity of our charity laws, writes Ray Madoff for the New York Times. Helmsley isn’t just spending her own money; because charitable donations are tax-free, the government is essentially subsidizing her whims to the tune of $3.6 billion.

"To put it in perspective," he writes, "our contribution to Mrs. Helmsley’s cause equals approximately half of what we spend on Head Start, a program that benefits 900,000 children." Helmsley’s gift, moreover, went into a charitable trust, which need only spend 5% of its wealth a year—including paying trustees and expenses. There should be a limit on the estate tax charitable deduction, Madoff writes, and we should "stop subsidizing immortality" by requiring foundations to spend more of their assets on charitable work.

Leona Helmsley and her dog Trouble photographed in Leona Helmsley's Park Lane Hotel apartment. Friday, January 31, 2003 in New York.
Leona Helmsley and her dog Trouble photographed in Leona Helmsley's Park Lane Hotel apartment. Friday, January 31, 2003 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jennifer Graylock)
The Helmsley family mausoleum where Leona Helmsley is to be burried is shown Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
The Helmsley family mausoleum where Leona Helmsley is to be burried is shown Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Leona Helmsley, is shown in this Jan. 28, 2003, file photo in New York.
Leona Helmsley, is shown in this Jan. 28, 2003, file photo in New York.   (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano, File)
The Helmsley family mausoleum at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Leona Helmsley is to be buried is shown Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
The Helmsley family mausoleum at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Leona Helmsley is to be buried is shown Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007 in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Helmsley leaves billions to dogs
New York Times

Where the candidates stand on the estate tax
Chronicle of Philanthropy

Helmsley's dog actually got stiffed
New York

 
charity • Leona Helmsley • Trouble • estate tax • dog • tax dodge • charitable trust

More Newser Stories

Helmsley Cash Doesn't Have to Go to Dogs

Helmsley's Heir Is the Dog

So Long, Trouble: Leona Helmsley's $2M Dog Dead

Time Is Ripe to Pass Cash to Heirs

Queen of Mean's Billions Go to the Dogs
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne