Income taxes: voluntary contributions: California Domestic Violence Victims Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.
The bill mandates that the funds collected will be continuously appropriated to cover administrative costs of the Franchise Tax Board and the Controller. The remainder of the contributions will be allocated to the Office of Emergency Services (OES). The OES will be responsible for distributing funds to active domestic violence grant recipients that are compliant with relevant federal tax regulations. This arrangement ensures that funds are efficiently managed while directly benefiting domestic violence organizations on the ground.
Assembly Bill 1605, introduced by Assembly Member Burke, establishes the California Domestic Violence Victims Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund. This fund allows individuals to voluntarily contribute amounts in excess of their tax liability on their tax returns specifically for supporting domestic violence victims. By creating this fund, the bill aims to enhance financial support for domestic violence programs within California, which are critical for providing necessary services to victims.
One notable aspect of the legislation is its provision for temporary implementation, effective until January 1 of the seventh taxable year following the fund's first emergence on tax returns. Additionally, should the estimated contributions fall below a determined threshold of $250,000 within a calendar year, the bill stipulates that it would become inoperative, prompting concerns about the fund's sustainability and effectiveness in the long term. These limitations could lead to significant discussions about funding mechanisms for domestic services that occupy a crucial role in public welfare.