Home California Sen. Dodd Legislation Expands CalABLE while Helping Small Businesses

Sen. Dodd Legislation Expands CalABLE while Helping Small Businesses

by ECT
Senator Bill Dodd

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation Tuesday that would help Californians with disabilities save for their financial futures while streamlining accounting requirements for small businesses.

“I’m committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities,” said Sen. Dodd, who wrote legislation in 2017 to improve the state’s CalABLE program. “It makes sense to raise the limits on what people can save without jeopardizing their eligibility for benefits. At the same time, small businesses should not have to go through the time and expense of keeping two sets of books as currently required.”

Senate Bill 263 is a response to changing federal tax law. It does two things: it increases the amount people can put in CalABLE accounts. CalABLE allows people with disabilities and their families to open tax-free savings accounts without the worry of losing government assistance.  Separately, it allows small businesses with gross receipts up to $25 million to use similar “cash” accounting methods for state and federal tax purposes.

Supporters made the following comments:

“This would allow for greater participation by people without fear of losing important benefits like SSI and Medicaid,” said state Treasurer Fiona Ma. “It’s time to give these folks some financial security and stability and stop hiding assets.”

“We appreciate Sen. Dodd’s efforts to expand and strengthen the CalABLE program for Californians with disabilities,” said Curt Child, Disability Rights California’s legislative director.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

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