Don't Mess With Taxes

These pups probably would be cooler in the air conditioned inside, instead of atop the cooling unit’s condenser. Everyone, including our furry family members, need to find ways to stay cool during the summer so as not to become victims of the heat.

It’s officially summer and Mother Nature is not wasting any time. Summer 2025 is starting with sweltering heat across the central and eastern United States.

Many escape hot temperatures by heading to the beach or cooler mountain areas. Those who stay closer to home can go to the movies, wander shopping malls (yes, some still exist), or simply enjoy our residential air conditioning.

But for some, extreme heat is more than just a seasonal annoyance. If they are not able to cool down, they can face serious health complications, even death.

A study published last August in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that in 2023, the hottest year on record at the time of the study, there were at least 2,325 heat-related deaths in the United States. Since 1999, more than 21,518 people have died from heat.

Know the symptoms: The most susceptible to heat-related complications are the very young and older folks, and those with underlying physical conditions.

But anyone, any age can suffer in extreme heat. So, know the symptoms.

In addition to the warnings about unusually heavy sweating, shortness of breath, and dizziness shown in the graphic above (excerpted from the heat action plan PDF document created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, popularly known as the CDC), other heat-illness symptoms are —

• Muscle cramping,
• Headaches,
• Weakness, and
• Nausea.

You also can check the heat risk in your area by using the CDC’s Heat Risk dashboard. It says today won’t be so bad here in the Austin area, where the heat risk is moderate. That means it’s an okay day to be outside for most people.

Again, know your and your family members’ health and heat risks, and be aware of the conditions listed above.

Also have on hand a heat wave emergency kit. This collection of items, such as bottled drinking water and towels to dry off sweat or dampen to use as a cooling wrap, can be a literal lifesaver in extreme heat.

Helping others handle the heat: Many people who are among the most heat threatened are often unable to afford ways to stay cool.

So, on this first day of summer, if you’re enjoying a cooling beverage by the neighborhood pool or literally chilling out some other way, consider those who don’t have such options.

Nonprofits and cities across the United States offer cooling help like those listed below. Check with your city or county government offices, or simply search the internet.

Project Cool in San Antonio is a coalition of the Alamo City’s Department of Human Services, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities. The program provides free 20-inch box fans to seniors in an effort to provide heat relief and prevent heat-related illness during the hot summer months. The free fans are a low-cost, low-energy way for seniors to stay cool without incurring high utility bills.

Austin Energy offers customers a variety of programs to help with utility costs. Its key targets are those facing temporary and long-term financial difficulties, as well as serious medical problems that would be exacerbated if air conditioning was not available. In addition to the billing assistance, the Texas capital’s utility makes it easy for others to make financial gifts to help others with their electricity costs.

If you’re a do-it-yourself, AARP (which provided the heat wave emergency kit noted earlier) has a guidebook (online or as PDF you can download) on how to help others stay cool in extreme heat. Basically, it’s a neighborhood project where you and your neighbors check on people in your community during periods of extreme heat and, if needed, offering to drive them to an air-conditioned location. This could be a great project for a homeowners’ association.

The Salvation Army offers cooling and hydration stations in many communities, like these available on extremely hot days in North Texas. Most local governments also provide this service. Again, check with your officials, local nonprofit branches, or search the web.

Take your donation tax break: If you do support such efforts via a donation to keep the programs going, you might be able to claim the gift as an itemized charitable tax deduction on your federal tax return. Just check for the program's 501(c)(3) status, which is the IRS designation that allows for donors to claim the gifts.

A tax break also might be possible even if you don’t itemize. Both the House and Senate versions of tax legislation now under debate on Capitol Hill have provisions for taxpayers who claim the standard deduction.

The House version of the bill sets this deduction at $150 for individuals and $300 for couples filing jointly. The tax break would expire at the end of 2028. The Senate version proposes a larger deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for couples. It would be permanent.

I know, taxes aren’t a major motivator for most donors, whether it’s gifts to help others make it through the coming hot months or other donations year-round. Providing needed assistance is reward enough.

But if you can get a tax break, under current law or possible future tax changes, great. Take it.

The tax deduction doesn’t diminish your gift in any way. In fact, it could provide you some savings that you could use to make additional donations.

You also might find these items of interest:

• 6 tax donation deduction tips for Giving Tuesday 
• Tax reform slashed charitable giving by $20 billion a year 
• Use federal home energy tax credits (while they’re still around) to fight the heat

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