Checkoff California Month Declared to Encourage Charitable Giving on State Tax Return

Governor thanks taxpayers who check-off for their positive impact on the community

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Mar 10, 2010, 11:23 ET

LOS ANGELES, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- To remind Californians how simple it is to make a contribution to one or more of the charitable funds participating in the state's voluntary tax check-off program, the month of March has been declared Checkoff California Month.

"As April 15th gets closer, it's important to remember that we can have a positive impact on our communities and those in need by 'checking off' certain boxes on our tax returns," stated California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his message for Checkoff California Month. "The people of our Golden State have contributed over $89 million since this program began in 1984, and this generosity has made a real difference in the lives of many of our fellow Californians."

California is one of 41 states that allow taxpayers to make a voluntary, tax-deductible contribution to one or more worthwhile causes in the "Contributions" section of their state tax return. In 2009 alone, more than 400,000 Californians checked-off on state tax form 540, raising a record $4.9 million.

The fifteen funds participating in California's tax check-off program are: the Alzheimer's Disease/Related Disorders Fund, the California Breast Cancer Research Fund, the California Firefighters' Memorial Fund, the California Military Family Relief Fund, the California Fund for Senior Citizens, the ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease Research Fund, the California Sea Otter Fund, the State Children's Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program, the Emergency Food for Families Fund, the California Peace Officer Memorial Foundation Fund, the California Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the Municipal Shelter Spay-Neuter Fund, the California Cancer Research Fund, and the California Seniors Special Fund.

The annual Checkoff California media campaign, now in its fourth year, reaches out to taxpayers and tax preparers to deliver the message that, regardless of income, anyone can help. Media partners include the Northern California Broadcasters Association, Southern California Broadcasters Association, and the San Diego Radio Broadcasters Association. Sponsorship of Checkoff California is generously provided by the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA). CalCPA (http://www.calcpa.org) is the nation's largest state accounting organization and the largest CPA association in California. It serves 33,000 members in public practice, private industry, education and government. Through CalCPA Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, CalCPA members provide financial literacy programs to high schools and community groups.

For more information, visit http://www.checkoffcalifornia.org

Checkoff California logo:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Checkoff-California-logo.jpg

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Checkoff California Month message:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Checkoff-California.pdf