Haiti Donations Deductible for California

From the California Franchise Tax Board Tuesday:

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) announced today that a new state law allows taxpayers to immediately deduct their donations made to provide relief for the January 12 Haitian earthquake.

"This is welcome news for Californians who are supporting earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti," said State Controller and FTB Chair John Chiang.

Charitable deductions are normally taken on a tax return the following calendar year. The new law gives donating taxpayers the added option to claim the deductions immediately on their 2009 returns instead of waiting to claim it on their 2010 returns.

To claim the charitable deduction on the 2009 tax return, both individuals and businesses must have made the Haitian-relief contributions to qualified charities before March 1, 2010. Only cash contributions such as those made by text message, check, credit card or debit card qualify. The contributions must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.

The new legislation, Assembly Bill 347 (Stats 2010, Ch. 8), conforms to similar federal law (Haitian Relief Bill H.R. 4462; P.L. 111-126).

Information on the federal law is available in our previous post here.

Women in Construction Week

Women in Construction (WIC) Week will be celebrated March 7-13 by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). NAWIC’s mission is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. As a NAWIC community, we will strive to make changes, to build new homes and businesses, roads and bridges. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of others. WIC Week provides a unified time for more than 5,500 NAWIC members to raise awareness of the opportunities the construction industry holds for potential employees and to highlight women as a visible, growing force in the industry. A broad range of activities will be employed to spread NAWIC members’ passion for working in construction. Award banquets, membership drives, community service projects and hands-on workshops will be conducted from coast to coast - all designed to promote construction and the value of women's contributions to the industry. We ask that you take few minutes this week to recognize the Women in Construction who have made a difference in your lives. Women who "do it all" from leading successful businesses, to raising great kids, or being a loving wife, or excelling in a career. We do it all. If there is a woman who you think has made a difference and made things better or brighter, this is the time to recognize her. For more information on WIC Week or NAWIC, click any of the links below. http://www.nawic.org/nawic/WIC_Week_2010.asp http://www.nawic.org http://www.facebook.com/nawicregionten

Free Webinars on California Withholding

The California Franchise Tax Board if offering free webinars about employer's withholding requirements, including changes that became effective in January of this year. To view descriptions, times, and register for a free webinar, click here.