NJ Spotlight: Tax Forms Offer 'Check-Offs' to Support Cancer Research

With less than a month before the tax deadline, cancer research groups are anticipating a boost in donations from taxpayers in the mood to give, NJ Spotlight reports.

New Jersey allows income taxpayers to check off a box on their returns dedicating dollars from their 2011 refund check to help fund cancer research.

The money is sorely needed. State funding that supported the work at New Jersey’s academic research centers was eliminated the past two fiscal years, and advocates are lobbying for the restoration of $1 million in the 2013 state budget.

"In an era of tight budgets, voluntary contributions from citizens are certainly helpful. But I don’t believe you can run consistent programs based on irregular funding," said Blair Horner, vice president for advocacy with the Eastern Division of the American Cancer Society.

New Jersey taxpayers have a choice of donating to breast, prostate, or for the first time, lung cancer research. The donations, along with funds from the sale of “conquer cancer” license plates, go to the New Jersey Commission for Cancer Research, which has awarded more than $40 million to about 800 peer-reviewed cancer research grants and student fellowships since it was established nearly 30 years ago.

The NJ-1040 state income tax form provides a check-off for $10 or $20 donations or write-in contributions of up to $99.99.

Read the full story in NJ Spotlight @ Healthcare.