BILL NUMBER: ACR 149	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gipson

                        MARCH 7, 2016

   Relative to taxation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   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.



   WHEREAS, Each year, Californians volunteer their time to
participate in the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
program and are trained by public and private partnerships with the
Internal Revenue Service to prepare tax returns; and
   WHEREAS, VITA is a free tax preparation program that helps low- to
moderate-income filers. During tax season, there are free sites
accessible across the nation; and
   WHEREAS, Insufficient income contributes to many of the social and
human service needs in our state; and
   WHEREAS, Increasing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) capture
through the VITA program represents a highly cost-effective economic
development strategy; and
   WHEREAS, Each year, as a result of the VITA program, the EITC
helps approximately 285,000 low-income households in California and
brings more than $347 million into California's economy; and
   WHEREAS, The Internal Revenue Service and other organizations
collaborate with local agencies to offer VITA to raise awareness of
the EITC; and
   WHEREAS, Local colleges throughout California serve as
instrumental partners of the VITA program, and create ideal and
accessible locations for surrounding community residents to receive
free tax assistance and family resource services; and
   WHEREAS, These colleges generously provide the use of their campus
facilities, equipment, and student volunteers - who make up a
significant portion of trained and certified tax preparers for VITA
events - to enable the success of the VITA program; now, therefore,
be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins the Controller's
office, the State Board of Equalization, the Franchise Tax Board, and
the Internal Revenue Service in promoting the EITC and VITA programs
to qualified families and individuals; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages each state entity to
identify and utilize existing and potential public or private
partnerships to inform citizens about the availability of the federal
and state EITC and VITA programs; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.