DFG News Archive

DFG Says Filing Tax Returns Can Help Save Endangered Species

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) urges taxpayers to fill in Line 55 of the state income tax return and help save an endangered species.

With tax preparation season well underway and most people having received their income tax and end-of-year earning forms, now is the time to consider what a donation to the Endangered Species Campaign can do to help the threatened and endangered native animals and plants in the state.

By checking Line 55 box on their state income tax forms and designating a donation amount, or instructing their tax preparer to do so, Californians can assist DFG in recovering endangered species through the tax check-off program, said Dale Steele, with DFG’s Habitat Conservation Program Branch.

“The Department invites all Californians, whether they receive a refund or have to pay additional taxes, to support the conservation of our magnificent wildlife resources,” Steele said. “Doing your part to support endangered species – through a contribution to the Endangered Species Campaign – will help protect California’s natural wonders for future generations.”

There are about 300 animals and plants in California listed under the state and federal endangered species acts (found on the DFG’s web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/species/t_e_spp/tespp.shtml). DFG uses the money collected through the campaign to perform endangered species conservation and recovery work, Steele said.

Recent studies conducted with funding from the tax check-off account include:

• Population trends and factors influencing nest success of Xantus's Murrelet on Santa Barbara Island
• Site selection, movement and ecology of the foothill yellow-legged frog
• Genetic study of Swainson’s hawks in the Central Valley
• California tiger salamander survey work

Launched in 1984, the tax check-off program has enjoyed wide popularity and survived lean times as contributions have continued to flow. When it first began, there were only two state tax check-off programs. Today there are 14 on the state income tax form.

Donations for the endangered species tax check-off usually rank among the top three most popular check-off destinations. During the last three taxable years available from the California Franchise Tax Board’s tax return master file, DFG’s tax check-off program received $569,316 in 1999, $600,974 in 2000, and $704,033 in 2001. Not only has the total contribution increased over the years, the average contribution has also grown to an average of more than $12 per contributor.

“Even small amounts donated, by the many people who care about the wildlife in this state, can be used strategically when we’ve needed to carry out vital research or recovery actions ” said Steele.

The donation is deductible on both state and federal tax returns the following year.

Although dozens of other states have similar check-off for non-game wildlife donations, California is the first state to allow a check-off donation regardless of whether the taxpayer owes money or expects a refund.

“The IRS says it’s never too early to plan for the April 15 deadline to file tax returns, and we’re saying it’s never too late to help protect the state’s threatened and endangered wildlife,” Steele said.