MassBudget: Why Top-Income Households Receive Most Tax Benefits from Charitable Deduction

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. February 11, 2019 Why Top-Income Households Receive Most Tax Benefits from Charitable Deduction BOSTON - Our Commonwealth does best when all people experience rising prosperity. But for several decades, the wealth and income of the top 1 percent of households has grown briskly while others have been left behind. While there are many reasons for this trend, one contributing factor is the way the federal tax deduction for charitable giving disproportionately rewards the giving of those with incomes over $1 million compared with donations made by moderate- and low-income tax filers. While higher-income households have more money to give away - and therefore give larger dollar amounts to charity than households with less income - the benefits of charitable tax deductions remain heavily skewed towards top-income households, according to a new Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) report. The top incomes average 160 times more than those earning incomes below $50,000, but their average charitable deduction is about 1,320 times larger. "In Massachusetts, taxpayers who have incomes over $1 million claim almost half of all charitable deductions, though they make up less than 0.5 percent of tax filers. Meanwhile, tax filers with incomes of $200,000 or less claim only 29 percent of charitable tax deductions," said Phineas Baxandall, Senior Policy Analyst at MassBudget and author of the report. Research shows high-income households do not necessarily give a larger portion of their incomes to charity than lower-income households. Some studies find that, in fact, low- and middle-income givers actually contribute a larger percentage of their incomes. A key reason the tax benefits for charitable giving are skewed toward high-income households is: charitable giving can only be deducted from federal taxes if they are itemized (listed in detail).  Most low- and moderate-income taxpayers don't tend to itemize their deductions, instead they usually opt for the larger (and simpler) standard deduction. For most top-income households, the standard deduction is too small compared to the deductions they can claim, so the vast majority choose to itemize deductions and avoid taxation on a larger portion of their incomes. Massachusetts does not currently have a charitable deduction for state income taxes but, if the state's income tax rate drops to 5.0 percent in January 2020 - as anticipated by the Department of Revenue and following policy triggers enacted in 2002 - then a state charitable deduction would kick in the following year.  Adding a state charitable deduction would reduce revenues by about $300 million per year, leaving less money for education, public health, transportation, affordable housing, and other programs funded by the state budget. "In Massachusetts' upside-down tax system, people with lower incomes pay a larger percentage of their incomes in taxes than top-income households. Adding a state charitable deduction on top of the federal one would make this system even more imbalanced," said Marie-Frances Rivera, Interim President of MassBudget. Read the full report here http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-Highest-Incomes-in-Massachusetts-Receive-Most-Tax-Benefits-from-Charitable-Deduction.html. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by mrivera@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

"The budget discussion will continue at the School Committee meeting on Tuesday"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Superintendent Sara Ahern’s suggested school budget for 2020 be increased $3.8 million over fiscal 2019 during this week’s School Committee legislative forum. 

Ahern proposed the six-percent increase on Wednesday, putting the requested budget at $67,076,078 over this year’s $63,235,000. The increases, as she demonstrated in her presentation, will help pay for more teachers, substitutes and other amenities. 

One of the most critical needs for the school system is reducing class size. Ahern suggested allocating $240,000 to hire more teachers. She also suggested using another $120,000 to help recruit more substitute teachers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190211/franklin-school-budget-to-increase-nearly-4-million

Recommended budget presentation
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-presentation-0

Recommended budget cover
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-cover

Recommended budget detail (school by school)
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-detail

Recommended budget overview
https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/files/budget-overview

FY 2020 Superintendent's Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

The Legislative Forum held Feb 5 provided some insights into the state level budgeting for schools

In the News: distillery seeking permit for operation; Library has dungeons and dragons club

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After the abrupt closing of Incontro Restaurant last week, a new owner is looking to take over the space – GlenPharmer Distillery. 

The old mill building at 860 West Central St. may soon be home to the new distillery and restaurant after a public hearing on Feb. 25. The hearing will take place in the Town Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building at 7:30 p.m during a Planning Board meeting. 

The company, owned by Franklin resident Patrick Downing, is seeking a special permit to distill spirits on site. Town Planner Amy Love said that Downing plans to distill many types of alcohol, including vodka, gin and whiskey. A tasting room is also planned. 

“With Incontro closing, he (Downing) does still want a restaurant in there,” Love said. “At this time we really don’t know what it’s going to be.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190211/distillery-may-replace-incontro-restaurant-in-franklin

Milford Daily News photo

"There is a unique realm in the recesses of the Franklin Public Library that young adventures can explore any plane imaginable – Dungeons and Dragons for Kids. 

One player on put a hand on the handle of a long sword, just for precaution, as the team walks into a building in what looks like a deserted town. There’s a gnome sitting in what used to be a shop, lavender-colored clouds of smoke pluming from his pipe as he watches the young adventurers make their way into the room. 

Dungeon Master, 11-year-old Soren Harrington, set the scene on Monday afternoon, reading from a guide while creating situations of his own as the other players made their way through the path that he partially created. 

It’s the imagination and creativity involved with the game that draws the young players into the game, said Assistant Youth Services Librarian Mitzi Gousie. The idea to start a Dungeons and Dragons club at the library wasn’t her own, she said. It was inspired by one of their frequent youth visitors."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190212/franklins-dungeons-amp-dragons-club-gaining-popularity

Franklin Public Library

Two Encore Students Awarded National Gold Medals In Music; Eight Students Headed To Carnegie Hall

Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios, in Franklin, MA, is pleased provide two significant announcements regarding student achievements.

Claire Bauer, age 15 of Franklin, and Maura Johnston, age 16 of Norfolk, are both students of voice at Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios. Each young woman has recently been awarded the National Gold Medal of Excellence for 2018 by the Royal Conservatory of Music: Bauer for Level 6 Voice, and Johnston for Level 2 Voice. 

The Royal Conservatory of Music awards the National Gold Medal of Excellence to the student who has achieved the highest score in the country within their specific skill level for each instrument during the academic year. For the assessments, students are scored on proficiency in the following areas: performance; technical requirements; aural skills; rhythm; and sight-reading ability.

Johnston, who has been studying voice for three years and piano for one year under the expert guidance of piano and vocal instructor, Rebecca Abalutzk, also performs and records albums with the recording ensemble, The Encore EnHarmonix. Abalutzk said, "I am both extremely proud and fortunate to work with such a driven young woman. She is the type of student who reminds me why I became a teacher in the first place".

Claire Bauer, under the guidance of her vocal instructor, Lisa Ostrow, (who has guided students to National Gold medals three times previously), began her studies in voice using the curriculum of the RCM right from the start. Upon hearing of her award, Bauer mused, 

"Well, I think getting this award has a lot to do with the person who drives me everywhere," and then she gave her mom the biggest smile ever. Ostrow said, "Students like Claire are every teacher's dream. They challenge us to be the very best that we can be, so that they can reach their full potential."

Encore students Claire Bauer and Maura Johnston

How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? Practice!!

This year, on February 16, an unprecedented number of Encore students will be making the trip to New York City to perform on the stage at the illustrious Carnegie Hall! Two of them, Maura Johnston, National Gold Medal winner 2018 and State winner 2017, and Mia Quinn, National Gold Medal winner 2017, and State winner 2018, will be making their second appearance in two years. 

These eight students, including Bauer and Johnston, were invited to perform based upon their exemplary success in their respective levels of voice and piano in the 2018 Royal Conservatory of Music academic year. Many congratulations to the following six additional Encore performers and their instructors:

● Amelia MacEvoy, age 11 of Medway, Level 1 piano and student of Rebecca Abalutzk
● Alyssa McGuirl, age 10 of Millis, Level 2 voice and student of Caitlin Medlin
● Sneha Mukkavilli, age 10 of Walpole, Level 1 piano and student of Rebecca Abalutzk
● Max Olson, age 16 of Medway, Level 4 piano and student of Scott Nicholas
● Mia Quinn, age 12 of Franklin, Level 1 voice and student of Lisa Ostrow
● Sunehri Verma, age 11 of Franklin, Level 1 piano and student of Lisa Ostrow

Save the Date - HMEA incredABLE 5K - May 19

Save the Date - HMEA incredABLE 5K - May 19

For more information and to register, visit HMEA on the web at

https://www.hmea.org/incredable-5k/

HockomockSports.com Indoor Track and Wrestling results from Saturday, Feb 9

Via HockomockSports, we share the Indoor Track and Wrestling results from Saturday, Feb 9, 2019


Indoor Track

The Hockomock League Championships were held at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday morning. 
Below are the team results and the top eight finishes for each event. 
https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-indoor-track-championships-2019/

Click here for complete results from Athletic.net.
 https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=351377&show=all

Click here for a photo gallery from this event.
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Winter-2018-2019/Hockomock-Indoor-Track-Championships-02-09-19/


Wrestling

Franklin’s Drew DiFilippo earned the D1 Central sectional title at 106 with a 7-0 decision. He scored all seven of his points in the first round, earning a takedown and then a pair of near falls. Jake Carlucci picked up a 7-4 win in the 113 final, using an escape and a late reversal to seal the title. Jordan Carlucci dominated in the 132 final, scoring nine straight points after the match was tied at 2-2 early on, and Ken Sauer won the 138 championship with an impressive 9-1 decision, only allowing an escape late in the third period. Dominic Sackley was the fifth Panther to win a title, using an escape and takedown in the second, and a takedown in the third to secure a 7-1 decision. And Matt Leofanti scored an upset in the 220 final, using a second period takedown and a third period escape to upend the top seed, 3-1. Caleb MacLean (160) and Riley Downing (285) earned second, Alex Fracassa (126) and Dylan Nawn (182) were both third, and Ben Jacoby (195) was fourth.

For all the wrestling results from Saturday around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-mansfield-north-attleboro-claim-sectional-titles/

Panther Wrestling - Sectional CHAMPIONS!!! Both Carlucci’s, Sauer, Difilippo, Sackley and Leofanti took first. MacLean and Downing 2nd. Nawn and Fracassa took 3rd. Jacoby 4th. #PantherPride

Register O'Donnell Sworn In As Assistant Recorder of Land Court

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Sworn In As Assistant Recorder of Land Court In order to execute a critical part of his official duties as Norfolk County Register of Deeds, William P. O'Donnell was recently sworn in as the county's Assistant Recorder of the Land Court by Chief Justice Gordon Piper of the Massachusetts Land Court. Register O'Donnell, who was elected to a third full term in office last November, explained the role of Assistant Recorder of the Land Court. "Massachusetts has two classifications of property: recorded land and registered land. The Massachusetts Land Court is responsible for resolving disputes involving land or real property. Once the case is resolved by the Land Court, I, as Register of Deeds, am responsible for overseeing the recording and safe keeping of these registered land documents in Norfolk County. This is why the Register of Deeds is required to be sworn in as an Assistant Recorder of the Land Court." In the case of Norfolk County, approximately 80% of the property is classified as recorded land and the remaining 20% is considered registered land or "Land Court property." Register O'Donnell noted, "Whether the land in question is recorded or registered land, I take my responsibilities as an Assistant Recorder of the Land Court very seriously. The citizens of Norfolk County can be assured that the county's approximately 8.5 million land documents are being recorded accurately, efficiently and are available online for viewing via our state-of-the-art computer system. "Finally, I want to thank Chief Justice Piper, the Court's Associate Justices and their staffs for their graciousness and kind remarks extended to me at my swearing-in ceremony. The level of cooperation and mutual respect exhibited between the state and county has been critical to achieving our goals with regard to the recording and safekeeping of registered land documents." To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Register O'Donnell Sworn In As Assistant Recorder of Land Court