Bidens below average in charitable giving

President Obama earned big money last year and gave more than most to charity, but his second in command was a bit tight-fisted when it came to digging in his own pocket for donations.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his wife, Jill, earned $333,000 in 2009, and gave $4,820 — 1.44 percent — of that to charity in cash or in-kind donations, according to their newly released tax forms.

Estimates by charitable organizations show that most givers donate between 3 and 5 percent of their income.

Mr. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama exceeded that range. The first couple gave 5.9 percent — or $329,000 — of their $5.5 million of income to charity in 2009.

The Obamas’ largest contributions to charity were $50,000 to CARE, a poverty-based organization, and the United Negro College Fund. Mr. Obama also donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize money, which he gave to 10 charities.

The president’s books, “Dreams From My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope,” generated the majority of the Obamas’ income.

The first couple paid nearly $1.8 million in federal income tax and $163,303 in Illinois income taxes.

The Bidens paid $71,147 in federal income taxes, $12,420 in Delaware income taxes and $1,477 in Virginia income taxes.