Since its inception last week, the I’M Paying Additional County/City/Commonwealth Taxes (IMPACT) Political Action Committee has brought considerable local awareness to the fact that individuals may donate money beyond their tax obligations to localities if they so choose.
“I’ve never experienced this level of active discussion on this issue,” said Rob Schilling, one of the organization’s co-founders. “Although we haven’t received any donations thus far, I am confident they can’t be too far off, given the overwhelming sentiment among many Albemarle residents that they desire a tax increase and want to pay more taxes.”
Partially as a result of IMPACT’s efforts, Albemarle County staff is providing information to the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday (March 17, 2010) regarding opportunities for citizens to donate directly to county government. That information “… will include details about tax deductions and how to specify donations,” indicated Lee Catlin, Community Relations Director for Albemarle County, in an email to IMPACT.
Today on The Schilling Show, co-founder Keith C. Drake noted, “There remains some question whether donations to localities are indeed tax deductible, and we look forward to the county’s information tomorrow to answer this question. However, assuming they are tax deductible, the result of these donations would be less revenue at the Federal level—so that other tax payers would have to pay more to result in the same amount of tax revenue, or experience reduced services.”
Finally, IMPACT refuted misinformation currently being circulated about the disposition of donations made through IMPACT. “There have been claims on local blogs and in letters to the editor published in the Daily Progress that Rob and I are keeping 6% of the donations to IMPACT,” Drake said. “That information is false, and absurd. As we’ve stated since the beginning, every penny of donations made by check will be sent to the designated locality—100%. For online donations, there is a 5% service fee charged by our merchant vendor. But again, IMPACT will not keep any funds generated by online donations. One can only assume this shameful misinformation is being propagated to discredit IMPACT’s efforts and thwart donations to localities.”
About IMPACT
IMPACT is organized as a Political Action Committee under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It has quarterly financial filing requirements; its reports are public information. There are no limits on donations. Additional donations may be sent to:
IMPACT
2160 Viburnum CT
Charlottesville, VA 22911
