Remember the Animals this Tax Season

Hundreds of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized in California’s shelters each year due to limited resources and an untold number of animals suffer at the hands of their abusers. The Prevention of Animal Homelessness & Cruelty Fund, which made its debut on the 2015 California personal income tax return, gives California taxpayers the opportunity to help these animals by making a voluntary contribution to the fund on their returns.

As one of the 19 voluntary contribution funds available to taxpayers, the Prevention of Animal Homelessness & Cruelty Fund will provide grants to animal control agencies, SPCAs, and humane societies to end dog and cat homelessness as well as prevent, investigate, and prosecute animal abuse. A voluntary contribution is an election made by the taxpayer to designate amounts on his or her tax return to charitable funds.

Contributions to the Prevention of Animal Homelessness & Cruelty Fund can be made on Line 431 of any of these California income tax returns: 540 2EZ, 540, 540NR Long or Short Form, and 541, Schedule C. These contributions will also qualify as charitable deductions (in the year following the contribution) on the federal income tax returns.

For 2015, there is no minimum amount required for the Prevention of Animal Homelessness & Cruelty Fund to earn. However on the 2016 returns, the Fund must collect a minimum of $250,000 (adjusted for inflation) or it will be dropped from the returns for 2017.

The California Department of Food & Agriculture will administer grants from the Fund to public animal control shelters and agencies as well as SPCAs and humane societies. The first $250,000 in grants will be awarded to public animal control agencies and shelters for spay/neuter of dogs and cats.

For more information, please visit State Humane Association of California's website at www.californiastatehumane.org.