SUPPORT SB 1076 (Price): Income Tax Check Off: Voluntary Contributions to the California Arts Council

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce urges your strong and continued support of funding for the Arts, including your support of SB 1076. The bill allows taxpayers to make contributions to the California Arts Council (CAC) by creating a check-off designation on the state personal income tax return for taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the CAC. This bill will assist the CAC in offsetting the 80 percent reduction to CAC’s budget since 2001-2002. The reduction in CAC’s budget has resulted in reduced arts education programming and less funding for arts programs both in rural and underserved urban areas. By creating a check-off designation on the personal income tax return for taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the CAC, this bill creates a dedicated source of funding for arts programs throughout the state.

Existing law allows taxpayers to contribute money to one or more of 15 voluntary contribution funds by checking a box on their state income tax return. California law requires contributions made through check-offs to be made from taxpayers’ own resources (not from their tax liability, as is possible on federal tax returns). Check-off amounts may be claimed as charitable contributions on taxpayers’ tax returns during the subsequent year. This bill requires that the check-off meet the minimum contribution requirement of $250,000.