| |
||
| February 1, 2005 | The
Monthly Newspaper of the NYSSCPA |
Vol.
8, No.2 |
Help Cure Prostate Cancer
2004 NYS Tax Returns Include Donation Check-Off
By Stuart Kessle
Beginning with their 2004 tax returns, New Yorkers can now contribute to prostate cancer research by simply checking off a donation of any amount on their state tax returns. For every dollar contributed by the taxpayers, the state of New York and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) have each agreed to donate a dollar, so that every dollar donated becomes three dollars for cancer research.
Last August, New York Gov. George Pataki signed New York State Senate bill 6206 providing for the check-off. The impetus for the bill began at the New York State Roundtable on Prostate Cancer, a meeting of the state’s leading cancer experts cohosted by PCF Founder and Chairman Mike Milken and New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, both prostate cancer survivors.
The contributions from the check-off will be placed in a 501(c)(3), the New York State Coalition to Cure Prostate Cancer, which is dedicated solely to this cause. An independent panel comprised of the top prostate cancer research scientists will then distribute these funds through a competitive awards process to research centers throughout New York.
Please urge your clients and associates to mark the check-off for prostate cancer on their 2004 New York state tax return.
Stuart Kessler, CPA/PFS, is a managing director with American Express Tax and Business Services, Inc., and a former NYSSCPA president.
