45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RELATING TO TAXATION; PROVIDING AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO ELIGIBLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE SUPPORT OF AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of the Income Tax Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT.--

A. A taxpayer who files an individual New Mexico income tax return and is not a dependent of another taxpayer may claim a credit for a contribution made to an eligible public school located in this state for the support of an extracurricular activity if a receipt has been received from the school certifying that the contribution will be used for an extracurricular activity for one or more children enrolled in the school. The credit may be claimed in an amount equal to the total contributions made during the taxable year for which the credit is claimed but shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) in any taxable year. The credit provided in this subsection shall be known as the "extracurricular activity tax credit".

B. The extracurricular activity tax credit shall not be allowed for a contribution that is included in the taxpayer's itemized deductions, as defined in Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, for the taxable year.

C. A husband and wife who file separate returns for a taxable year may each claim only one-half of the extracurricular activity tax credit that would have been allowed on a joint return.

D. The extracurricular activity tax credit provided in this section may only be deducted from the taxpayer's New Mexico income tax liability for the taxable year in which the contribution is made.

E. The department shall provide a format for a standardized receipt to be issued by an eligible school to indicate the extracurricular activity tax credit value of a contribution to the school. The department may require a taxpayer claiming the extracurricular activity tax credit to submit a copy of the receipt with the taxpayer's claim for credit.

F. As used in this section:

(1) "eligible school" means a public middle school or junior high school, a public elementary school that enrolls students in grade six or a public high school that enrolls students in grade nine;

(2) "extracurricular activity" means a competitive sport or other activity that supports academic, social, leadership or other skills and that provides opportunities for youth, including academic decathlon, cheerleading, drill team, chess, journalism, mock trial, music, art, drama, science fair, speech, student council, homework club or other activity approved by the state department of public education; and

(3) "tax credit qualifying revenue" means a contribution to an eligible school for which a receipt pursuant to Subsection E of this section has been issued by the school to the donor of the contribution."

Section 2. APPLICABILITY.--The provisions of this act apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2002.