Charitable Giving Can Turn Out to Be Taxing

The U.S. government committed $350 million to help the victims of the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and it's bending over backwards to encourage procrastinators to make contributions of their own.

The good news is that as long as you donate cash to a qualified tsunami relief fund by Jan. 31, you can deduct that donation on your 2004 tax return.

See, it does pay to be charitable. Though if you're thinking of donating that jalopy in your driveway, be sure you're following the rules, or you'll just end up with more headaches than your old car gives you. ...