For purposes of Sections 24357 to 24359, inclusive, the term “charitable contribution” means a contribution or gift to or for the use of—
(a) A state, a possession of the United States, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the United States or the District of Columbia, but only if the contribution or gift is made for exclusively public purposes.
(b) A corporation, trust, or community chest, fund, or foundation—
(1) Created or organized in the United States or in any possession thereof, or under the law of the United States, any state, the District of Columbia, or any possession of the United States;
(2) Organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals;
(3) No part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; and
(4) Which is not disqualified for tax exemption under Section 23701d by reason of attempting to influence legislation, and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.
A contribution or gift by a corporation to a trust, chest, fund, or foundation shall be deductible by reason of this section only if it is to be used within the United States or any of its possessions exclusively for purposes specified in paragraph (2). Rules similar to the rules of subdivision (b) of Section 23701d shall apply for purposes of this section.
(c) A post or organization of war veterans, or an auxiliary unit or society of, or trust or foundation for, any post or organization of war veterans—
(1) Organized in the United States or any of its possessions, and
(2) No part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(d) A cemetery company owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, or any corporation chartered solely for burial purposes as a cemetery corporation and not permitted by its charter to engage in any business not necessarily incident to that purpose, if the company or corporation is not operated for profit and no part of the net earnings of the company or corporation inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 605, Sec. 89. Effective January 1, 1998.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018