Directs the commissioner of taxation and finance to establish a single line upon which to make contributions on personal income tax forms

Title of bill

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to directing the commissioner of taxation and finance to provide a single line on personal income tax returns for the reporting of certain contributions by taxpayers

Purpose

To simplify the New York State personal income tax return by providing for a single line for reporting contributions for the gift for fish and wildlife management, United States Olympic Committee/Lake Placid Olympic Training Center fund, gift for breast cancer research and education, gift for missing and exploited children clearinghouse fund, gift for Alzheimer's disease support services, and gift for prostate cancer research, detection and education.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 - adds a new section 624-a to the tax law to direct the commissioner to provide for a single line on the personal income tax return for the designation of all contributions made pursuant to sections 625,626,627,628,629, and 630 of the tax law. This single line shall provide sufficient space to designate the amount of the contribution or contributions, and the code or codes, established by the commissioner, of the fund or funds to which such contribution or contributions are to be made.

Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 - removes the requirement that the commissioner shall include space on the personal income tax return to enable a taxpayer to make such contribution for each fund.

Section 8- contains the effective date.

Existing law

Sections 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, and 630 of the tax law provide for contributions on the personal income tax form to the following funds respectively: gift for fish and wildlife management, United States Olympic Committee/Lake Placid Olympic Training Center fund, gift for breast cancer research and education, gift for missing and exploited children clearinghouse fund, gift for Alzheimer's disease support services, and gift for prostate cancer research, detection and education.

Justification

The number of gift funds eligible for contributions on the New York State personal income tax form has increased significantly since 1982 when the first fund was established. This legislation seeks to simplify the personal income tax form by listing the funds individually in the tax instruction booklet and directing the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance to create a corresponding code for each fund (similar to the school district code). These codes along with the contribution amount, will be inserted on the designated single line on the New York State personal income tax form.

Legislative history

2007/08: S.1111 Investigations & Government Operations; A.6703 Ways & Means 2006: S.4093 Investigations & Government Operations, A.11060-Ways & Means

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, and shall apply to the taxable year in which it takes effect and all subsequent taxable years.