Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials are hoping the increasing trend for Iowa taxpayers to donate to the Iowa Fish and Wildlife Fund while filing state income taxes continues for 2017 returns. Last year, about 7,800 of the 1.6 million taxpayers in the state contributed almost $150,000. This bump is an increase of nearly 300 donors compared to 2016. “We are appreciative for the increase in contributors and are hopeful that more Iowans see the benefit that their donation goes directly to habitat development and restoration programs for some of Iowa’s most vulnerable animal species,” says Stephanie Shepherd, a wildlife biologist for the DNR. The Fish and Wildlife Fund, popularly known as the Chickadee Check-Off, was created in the 1980s by the Iowa legislature to allow Iowans to donate to conservation efforts through their tax returns and was the first instance of non-game wildlife dedicated funding in the state. “Currently only about half a percent of Iowans donate,” says, Shepherd. “If every Iowa taxpayer donated just one dollar, it would mean $1.5 million for wildlife and natural resource conservation.” Making a donation while filing taxes is easy according to Shepherd. To do so, simply indicate the amount you wish to donate next to the Fish and Wildlife Check-Off on line 57 of Form 1040. The amount will be automatically deducted from your refund or added to what is owed. As a charitable contribution, the gift is deductible from next year’s taxes.
