Bill Text: CA SCR12 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Taxation.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-02 - Hearing canceled at the request of author. [SCR12 Detail]
Download: California-2013-SCR12-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: SCR 12 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 22, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 4, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Senator Calderon
(Coauthor: Assembly Member John A. P�rez)
FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Relative to taxation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 12, as amended, Calderon. Taxation.
This measure would encourage state agencies,
departments , and commissions to identify and
utilize existing and potential include in their public
mission any appropriate efforts to encourage their employees to be a
volunteer in the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and
to work with 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 yes .
WHEREAS, Insufficient income contributes to many of the social and
human service needs in our state; and
WHEREAS, The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides tax
relief and income assistance to seniors and low-income working
families earning less than $51,000 a year;
$50,270 a year, depending upon filing status, family size, and
income; and
WHEREAS, The EITC lifts millions of individuals out of poverty
each year in the United States by supporting work
and self-sufficiency while reducing the need for public assistance;
and
WHEREAS, Increasing EITC utilization represents a highly
cost-effective economic development strategy; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Californians volunteer their time to
participate in the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
program, and are trained by the public and private partnerships with
the Internal Revenue Service to prepare tax returns; and
WHEREAS, Each year, as a result of the VITA program,
the EITC helps approximately 284,376 285,000
low-income households in California and brings more than $347
million into California's economy; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that every year, out of every family that
qualifies for the EITC, 800,000 Californians fail to file for EITC,
accordingly, increasing Californian's utilization of the EITC would
help to bring additional funds into California's economy; and
WHEREAS, Every resident earning less than $51,000
$50,270 a year may qualify for up to $5,891 in
EITC which can be used to lower their taxes
reduce his or her tax obligation or increase their
his or her tax refund; and
WHEREAS, Every 1,000 residents taxpayers
who qualify and apply for EITC represents a potential $5.8
million economic stimulant for our communities; and
WHEREAS, An increase of $1.2 billion each year in EITC benefits
would generate $1.2 billion in business sales, pay $311 million in
wages, and add nearly 7,500 jobs to the state economy each year;
and now, therefore, be it
WHEREAS, A volunteer EITC State Commission made up of executive
directors of the State Board of Equalization, the Franchise Tax
Board, the Employment Development Department, and representatives
from the offices of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the
Controller, the Treasurer, the Trustees of the California State
University System, the Board of Governors of the California Community
Colleges, and two union representatives would coordinate Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) activities and provide callers with tax
credit information, including information on eligibility rules, and
direct workers to nearby VITA sites for needed tax forms and
assistance; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring,That the Legislature of the State of California
encourages agencies, departments , and commissions
of California state government to identify and utilize
existing and potential public or private partnerships
include in their public service mission any appropriate efforts to
encourage their employees to volunteer in the VITA program and to use
their communications tools to inform citizens and employees
about the availability and benefits of the EITC
and the formation of VITA programs; EITC; and be
it further. further
Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California
encourages each state entity to work in partnership with public
or private outreach campaigns and the Internal Revenue
Service to identify and utilize existing communications
mechanisms to inform Californians about the availability of the EITC
and VITA programs, which may include placing key information in
state publications, Internet Web sites, human resource
materials and communications, appropriate correspondence
and forms from the state taxing agencies, the Treasurer, and the
Controller, targeted printed materials, caseworker and client
interactions, and application materials for state assistance and
state licenses; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California
encourages each state entity including the State Librarian, the
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and others to utilize existing
state infrastructure, if appropriate, to support EITC outreach and
statewide availability of the VITA program, which may include
utilizing the Department of Workforce Investment Service Centers and
other appropriate locations as VITA sites, staffed by trained VITA
volunteers, between January and April, encouraging local school
districts to integrate EITC outreach and VITA services into their
parent involvement and community school efforts, and utilizing
economic development tools and negotiations to encourage and support
EITC outreach and employment-based VITA sites if appropriate; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
