ACR 149, as introduced, Gipson. Taxation.
This measure would encourage state entities to identify and utilize existing and potential public or private partnerships to inform citizens and employees about the availability of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs, as specified.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, Each year, Californians volunteer their time to
2participate in the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
3program and are trained by public and private partnerships with
4the Internal Revenue Service to prepare tax returns; and
5WHEREAS, VITA is a free tax preparation program that helps
6low- to moderate-income filers. During tax season, there are free
7sites accessible across the nation; and
8WHEREAS, Insufficient income contributes to many of the
9social and human service needs in our state; and
10WHEREAS, Increasing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
11capture through the VITA program represents a highly
12cost-effective economic development strategy; and
13WHEREAS, Each year, as a result of the VITA program, the
14EITC helps approximately 285,000 low-income households in
P2 1California and brings more than $347 million into California’s
2economy; and
3WHEREAS, The Internal Revenue Service and other
4organizations collaborate with local agencies to offer VITA to
5raise awareness of the EITC; and
6WHEREAS, Local colleges throughout California serve as
7instrumental partners of the VITA program, and create ideal and
8accessible locations for surrounding community residents to receive
9free tax assistance and family resource services; and
10WHEREAS, These colleges generously provide the use of their
11campus facilities, equipment, and student volunteers - who make
12up a significant portion of trained and certified tax preparers for
13VITA events - to enable the success of the VITA program; now,
14therefore, be it
15Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
16thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins the Controller’s
17office, the State Board of Equalization, the Franchise Tax Board,
18and the Internal Revenue Service in promoting the EITC and VITA
19programs to qualified families and individuals; and be it further
20Resolved, That the Legislature encourages each state entity to
21identify and utilize existing and potential public or private
22partnerships to inform citizens about the availability of the federal
23and state EITC and VITA programs; and be it further
24Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
25of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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