WASHINGTON (RNS) Most Americans who file income tax returns won't be affected by proposed changes in how charitable contributions are deducted, but that hasn't stopped charitable groups from lobbying Congress to fight any change in deductions as part of the "fiscal cliff'' negotiations. By Jackie Kucinich / USA Today.

NEW YORK (RNS) I played the New York lottery for the first time last week. My $2 ticket didn't win the $588 million payout. In the end, I liked the idea of financial security, but saw little to be gained from sudden wealth. By Tom Ehrich.

LOS ANGELES (RNS) In a matter of days, some 1,400 American pastors are planning to break the law by endorsing a political candidate. And they’re likely to get away with it. By Lilly Fowler.

WASHINGTON (RNS) A coalition of liberal Christian leaders blasted a GOP plan that would extend Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy while slashing key provisions for the poor. By Chris Lisee.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Spurred by the economic crisis, Italy's government has taken the unprecedented step of revising long-standing tax exemptions for church-owned property. But experts say the new rules probably won't have a dramatic impact on Italy's finances. By Alessandro Speciale.