What is Iowa's Favorite Checkoff on State Income Taxes? Zaun Report 3/22

Every year during income tax season, taxpayers are asked if they would like to make a voluntary contribution to a wide variety of programs on their income tax form through the Income Tax Check off Program.

Iowa taxpayers may contribute to any of the check offs, regardless of whether they are entitled to a refund or owe additional taxes.  The contribution will reduce any refund the taxpayer is owed or will add to the amount of tax due.

The donation designation must be made on the original return for the current year.  The designation is irrevocable. 

A variety of tax check offs have appeared on the income tax return.  In the past there have been check offs for Domestic Abuse Services, Olympic Fund, Keep Iowa Beautiful.  Currently, Iowans can contribute to the following programs:

• The Child Abuse Prevention Program Fund:  Contributions go toward crisis and respite child care, parent education, child sexual abuse prevention programs, and parent support.
• Joint Veterans Trust Fund/Volunteer Fire Fighter Preparedness Fund:  The Veterans Trust fund assists veterans with job training, expenses related to facility or at-home care, individual or family counseling and other related services.  The Firefighters Preparedness fund is used to train Iowa’s firefighters.  The money collected is used to offset the financial burdens that many fire departments deal with when it comes to ensuring their firefighters are adequately trained in all facets of emergency response.  The funds designated to the joint checkoff are split evenly between the two funds.
• Iowa State Fair Foundation: The contributions are to be added to other sources such as gifts, donations and bequests to be used by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation to fund capital projects and improvements to property on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
• Fish and Wildlife Fund: The contributions to this fund support Iowa’s Wildlife Diversity Program which monitors, researches and manages the state’s nongame species of wildlife. 

Iowans Support Wildlife

The totals from last year are in. The results were as follows:

Fish and Game Fund:            $175,554

Iowa State Fair Foundation:  $88,197

Child Abuse Prevention:       $84,189

Joint Veterans/Firefighters:   $81,612 

Legislation has already been filed by organizations wanting to be placed on future tax returns; Iowa zoos and the Voter-owned Clean Elections Act, anatomical gift public awareness and transplantation.

Two last legislator meetings

There are two public forums set in Urbandale with my friend, Rep. Scott Raecker. The forums are sponsored by the great Urbandale Chamber and will take place at 2900 Justin Drive, Suite L. on the following dates: 

Saturday, March 31: 10:30 am to noon
Saturday, April 28: 10:30 am to noon

Please join me when you can. If you cannot attend, please email me at brad.zaun@legis.iowa.gov or call 515-281-3371. I am always interested in your opinion and it is truly an honor to serve you!