Changing Tax Codes Impact Assistance Dog Services for People with Disabilities

LIFESTYLE - COMPANY NEWS

Source : Canine Companions for Independence

Big changes are coming for the 2018 tax year after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and it may be impacting those organizations that need charitable gifts most—those charities like Canine Companions for Independence® that provide life-changing assistance dogs to children, veterans and adults with disabilities entirely free of charge.

"Without Mork, I couldn't go out of the house safely, let alone have a job," says Canine Companions service dog recipient Wallis Brozman. "The independence he has given me is invaluable. Mork helps me help myself."

According to the Council on Foundations, the new tax code's limitations on itemized deductions including charitable giving will result in a decrease of $16-$24 billion in charitable giving each year.

However, charitable gifts given to Canine Companions by December 31 still qualify for tax benefits and deductions under current law.

"Charitable giving always comes from the heart," says Canine Companions Chief Development Officer Barbara Barrow. "But the tax reform in 2018 will change the landscape for giving and could discourage crucial gifts to organizations that are changing lives every day. A reduction in giving is concerning for Canine Companions, which relies on private and corporate giving, as we continue to place highly-trained assistance dogs with people with disabilities."

Canine Companions for Independence, founded in 1975, is the first and largest provider of assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Each dog and a lifetime of ongoing support is an up to $50,000 investment for the organization, but are provided entirely free of charge to recipients. Year-end gifts raise more funds for Canine Companions than any other time of year.

Canine Companions assistance dogs are trained in over 40 advanced commands to enhance independence, from pulling manual wheelchairs, retrieving credit cards and other items, opening doors and alerting to sounds in the environment like a fire alarm. Canine Companions has placed more than 5,600 assistance dogs since its founding, and more than 450 individuals nationwide are waiting for a life-changing assistance dog.

Donate by December 31 to help Gift the Gift of Independence—and Give a Dog a Job®. Visit cci.org.