SB 1207 Summary

• Establishes the California Voluntary Contribution Program administered by the Office of California Volunteers, allowing taxpayers to designate voluntary contributions to up to 200 qualified charitable organizations or agencies, or to a general Charitable Giving Fund on their personal income tax returns.

• Permits individual taxpayers to designate contributions to up to 5 qualified applicants or the Charitable Giving Fund beginning January 1, 2018, with contributions deductible under existing charitable giving provisions.

• Requires qualified applicants (charitable organizations or state/local agencies) to meet registration and financial requirements, including average annual revenues exceeding $100,000, and establishes application and renewal fees to cover administrative costs.

• Creates the California Voluntary Contribution Fund and Charitable Giving Fund in the State Treasury to receive designated contributions, with moneys distributed to the Franchise Tax Board and Controller for reimbursement of costs, and remaining funds to qualified applicants or for charitable grants.

• Requires the office to submit annual reports to the Legislature on program effectiveness and contributions distributed; repeals this article on January 1, 2023 unless extended by later legislation.