President's message:

New Hawaii tax law could
jeopardize charitable giving

A potentially damaging bill slipped by us and sailed right through the Legislature. Governnor Abercrombie signed SB 570 into law on June 9. We're concerned that the law's temporary limitation on claims for itemized tax deductions will hinder charitable giving. HANO will monitor the impact this measure has on philanthropy going forward.

The new law, Act 097, effective July 1, eliminates the deduction for state taxes paid for taxpayers with incomes above specified thresholds, places temporary limitations on claims for itemized tax deductions and delays the standard deduction and personal exemption increases approved in 2009 under Act 60, while also making those increases permanent.

On a happier note, thanks to a partnership between HANO and The Nonprofit Quarterly, we can now offer HANO members $10 off the regular subscription price. NPQ, the journal of the nonprofit sector, helps you accomplish your daily work. Members can call us at (808) 529-0455 for the coupon code and then click here to subscribe for only $39 a year.

I like NPQ's timely, relevant, provocative articles that bring context to issues we grapple with everyday. The online version provides up-to-the-minute public policy accounts from around the country. Check out this sample, "Social Enterprise as Fetish," on how nonprofits can thrive, become more sustainable and have social impact in turbulent times.

If you haven't yet become a HANO member, but are interested in this and other benefits, click here. Meanwhile, enjoy this month's newsletter; it's filled with information about Hawaii's diverse nonprofit sector.

Lisa Maruyama
HANO president and CEO