Your IL 1040 tax form provides one of the easiest ways to join the movement to create a world free of MS. All you have to do is check a box and you can provide the support that helps us to do something about MS NOW. Every penny of your donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Assistance Fund (step 10, line F) goes toward providing direct service benefits for the 20,000 Illinoisans living with MS. Questions about the Illinois Income Tax Check-Off program should be directed to 1.800.344.4867or cgic@ild.nmss.org.
Learn more about who benefits from the Multiple Sclerosis Assistance Fund?
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Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the Illinois Income Tax Check Off Program? The Income Tax Check off program offers taxpayers an opportunity to donate to causes they support via their Illinois state income tax return. This year, nine organizations, including the Multiple Sclerosis Fund, are eligible to benefit from returns.
- Where does my money go? Every dollar the Chapter receives from the Multiple Sclerosis Assistance Fund goes straight to Direct Assistance, a financial assistance program for people living with MS. Participants in the program receive a variety of essential services to enhance their quality of life, such as: durable medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, counseling and respite care, just to name a few.
- Is there a minimum or maximum amount for a Check-Off Program donation? The Check-Off Program donation can be in any amount of $1.00 or more.
- How does a Check-Off Program donation work if I am to receive a refund? If the taxpayer has a refund due, the Check-Off Program donation will reduce the amount of the refund received.
- How does a Check-Off Program donation work if I owe tax money? If the taxpayer owes money to the State of Illinois, the Check-Off Program donation will increase the amount owed.
- Are Check-Off Program donations tax deductible? All Check-Off Program donations are tax deductible on the following year's tax return. For example: a taxpayer may deduct the previous year's Check-Off Program donation on the current Illinois tax return.
- Do I have to itemize deductions in order to make a Check-Off Program donation? You do not need to itemize your tax deductions to make a Check-Off Program donation.
- Where can I make a Check-Off Program donation to MS? When completing the 2007 Illinois Tax Return, Illinois taxpayers can indicate their choice to donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Assistance Fund in Step 10, Line F of the IL-1040 Income Tax Return form.
- Who administers the Check-Off Program money? All monies contributed to the Multiple Sclerosis Fund will be held by the State of Illinois for later distribution.
- How is Check-Off Program money used? Monies checked off to The Multiple Sclerosis Fund must be used for health-related services available to people with MS in Illinois, such as those provided by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter. These programs assist in securing scooters, wheelchairs, and transportation to doctor or physical therapy appointments; home and automobile modifications to accommodate the disability; individual and family counseling; emergency financial assistance; respite care and more.
- Is there a minimum amount that must be contributed to an organization for it to remain in the Check-Off Program category? A minimum of $100,000 must be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Fund through the Check-Off Program on the 2008 State of Illinois 1040 Income Tax form Step 10, Line F, and each year following. If that amount is not donated, the Fund will be prevented from any future appearance in the check-off category on the Illinois tax return.
- What organizations are part of the 2008 Illinois Income Tax Check off program? Multiple Sclerosis Direct Assistance Fund, Wildlife Preservation, Homeless Assistance, Military Family Relief, Child Abuse Prevention, Breast Cancer Research, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Research, Illinois Veterans’ Home, Diabetes Association, Pet Population Control, Energy Assistance, and Heartsaver AED.