State legislature gives approval to tax credit bill

The Missouri General Assembly yesterday approved legislation designed to renew or extend benevolent tax credit programs.

The legislation moves to Gov. Jay Nixon for final approval, according to a news release from Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who sponsored Senate bills 20, 15 and 19. The legislation was wrapped into a single bill.

“With this bill, we tap the strong charitable spirit of Missourians to drive local efforts to help Missouri’s neediest citizens,” Dixon said in the release. “It encourages individuals to give locally and support their friends and neighbors who are on the front lines helping others.”

The legislation would extend several tax credit programs through 2019, and for those that had expired, would allow contributions made on or after Jan. 1 eligible for the credits.

Benevolent tax credits supported by the legislation include:

• the Public Safety Officer Surviving Spouse Tax Credit, designed to aid the surviving spouses of public safety officers killed in duty;
• the Children in Crisis Tax Credit - to be renamed the Champion for Children tax credit in honor of former Sen. Norma Champion - which benefits crisis nurseries, child advocacy centers and court-appointed advocates;
• the Residential Dwelling Accessibility Tax Credit, which allows individuals with disabilities greater autonomy by living at home longer;
• the Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit, which supports pregnancy resource centers for women with unplanned or crisis pregnancies; and
• the Food Pantry Tax Credit, supporting the state's food banks and pantries.

The measure includes an emergency clause, putting the legislation into effect immediately after the governor's signature, the release said.