WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed into law a measure allowing people to write off donations they made this year to the families of two slain New York police officers.
Wenjian Liu (WEHN'-jihn loo) and Rafael Ramos (rah-fah-YEL' RAH'-mos) were shot in their patrol car in Brooklyn on Dec. 20 by a man who then killed himself.
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Under normal circumstances, individuals would have had to donate to the families by Dec. 31 to quality for a deduction on their 2014 taxes. The legislation extends that deadline until April 15, 2015 — the deadline for Americans to file their personal income taxes.
The bill easily passed both chambers of Congress. The White House says Obama signed it Wednesday in private.
The shooting came amid heightened tensions between law enforcement and minority communities.
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Pei Xia Chen (C) widow of New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Wenjian Liu cries holding a picture of her husband during a funeral in New York's borough of Brooklyn on January 4, 2015.
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Some police officers turn their backs in sign of disrespect as Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Some NYPD officers turn their backs while New York City mayor Bil de Blasio speaks at slain NYPD officer Wenjian Liu's funeral in Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.
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NYPD Officers turn their backs to a video screen as New York City mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a funeral for slain NYPD office Wenjian Liu on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.
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Officers line the street to pay respects to slain NYPD officer Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.
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Residents express their sympathies during the funeral for slain NYPD officer Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015.
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Police officers arrive to the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, center, walks with his wife Chirlane McCray while arriving to funeral services for New York City police officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Police officers from across the country gather for the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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New York City police officers march before funeral services for police officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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Pedestrians pause outside the funeral of New York Police Department officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Officers pass a blue ribbon as they arrive to the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)