Do you pay taxes in California? There’s now a quick, easy way that you can support the more than 48,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in California with the Special Olympics Fund.
WHAT IS IT?
The Special Olympics Fund is a new addition to the voluntary contributions section on your California income tax form. The California income tax form includes the option to voluntarily contribute a designated amount of your tax return to a number of notable causes throughout the state.
For the first time, Special Olympics will be included as one of the participating nonprofit organizations, benefiting athletes through both Special Olympics Northern California and Special Olympics Southern California.
HOW DO I DONATE?
It’s easy!
- When preparing your California income tax form, go to contributions section on Side 4 of Form 540 or Side 3 of Form 540-2EZ.
- Enter the amount that you wish to donate to the Special Olympics Fund in the box on Line 434. Please enter whole dollars, only. The Franchise Tax Board does not accept change.
- That’s it! Submit your tax form as usual, making sure to include the voluntary contributions section. And remember, this donation is tax deductible when you do next year’s taxes!
HOW DOES IT HELP?
When making your donation as a voluntary tax contribution, you will be directly supporting thousands of Special Olympics athletes throughout the state. Along with providing FREE year-round sports and competition programs, Special Olympics encourages inclusion and anti-bullying through Unified Sports and the Schools Partnership Program, bringing those with and without disabilities together to compete as teammates. Unified Sports was inspired by a simple principle – that training and competing together is a quick path to friendship, understanding and inclusion.
Special Olympics is also committed to improving the health and well-being of athletes through a variety of screenings and programs. The Healthy Athletes program is dedicated to providing health services and education to Special Olympics athletes and changing the way health systems interact with people with intellectual disabilities. Did you know? On an average team of 10 Special Olympics athletes, four have untreated tooth decay, three would fail a hearing test and seven would be overweight or obese. Your donation supports not only the athletes on the court or field of play; but in their daily lives and futures as well.
The Special Olympics Fund has the opportunity to be listed on the form for the next seven years if a minimum amount of contributions are received.