Being Green doesn’t have to be Taxing

I know that life is a bit busy right now, but hopefully it will come as a shock to no one that taxes are due soon. Although this can be stressful for some, it can actually turn out to also be one of the easiest times to flex your green muscles. When thinking about taxes and being green, most people will probably think about donations that they might have already made to any number of charities that help with animals and/or the environment. Although that is definitely on way to link the two activities, it isn’t the only one. You can also chose to donate after your taxes are done, but right before you submit them, at least if you live in California.

Before you finalize your federal tax return, pretty much everyone gets asked if they want to donate to the presidential campaign fund, but on the California tax return you also get asked if you would like to donate part of your state tax refund to any of about 20 or so different charities. Some of the charities deal with things like cancer research, Fire related issues, and autism research. However, several of them also have to do with endangered animals and the environment. If I recall correctly there was one last year that dealt with the otters, and there was a wetlands charity as well that was on the list. Al you have to do is click (or fill in the box) on the ones your want to help out with.

So, if your state tax return has something like this, then this year please don’t just skip over it. This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to make a contribution, and you get to choose how much you want to give (anywhere from a dollar up is accepted). Then next year that contribution can even become a deduction. Really it’s a win win for everyone.