If your school is interested in learning about how to host a parking fundraiser, please contact Edmund Lee at edmund_lee@sbcglobal.net.

Questions about the City's parking receipts tax 9/14/2012

Many people have been wondering and asking me, "What's happening with the parking tax issue?" Well, I have some more great news to give to everybody!

(A little backgrounder first.) As many of you know, last year, we were paid an unexpected visit by representatives of the Treasurer & Tax Collector's Office and given a (somewhat) rude awakening. At first, it looked like we might be on the hook for paying a 25% tax rate on our parking fundraiser proceeds going forward.

That was their stance, despite my attempts to explain that this was a fundraiser and that we were doing it for the school and not as a for-profit business. I was left feeling rather angry about the whole experience that, after I went down to City Hall to pick up the paperwork, I went straight up to Supervisor Mar's office to schedule a meeting with him to discuss this issue.

I also contacted Michelle Parker, our Second District PTA president, about this because I knew that if Presidio Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, and we were visited, this could have a huge impact on such fundraising efforts throughout the school district.

As a result, SFUSD, some members of the school board, and the mayor's office also became involved and discussions began on what could be done to help out the schools and the parent volunteers of the PTAs/PTSAs who supported them.

Fast forward almost one year later and amended legislation was crafted in cooperation with the Treasurer's & Tax Collector's Office, Supervisor Mar's office, and SFUSD. It was introduced to the Budget and Finance Subcommittee last July 17th and enjoyed the full support of the board.

Fast forward again to this week, and it was signed by the mayor (after it was approved by the full Board of Supervisors last week), so now it is pretty much a done deal.

The amended legislation narrowly defines the exemption to apply to non-profits (specifically the PTAs/PTSAs) who are holding parking fundraisers on school property for the sole benefit of the school.

There is some other legalese, and this will be revisited in about five years, at which time is its sunset period. They may, of course, choose to extend it at that time.

We had a small press event in front of Lafayette Thursday morning, marking the passage and signing of the legislation, so now ALL schools in SFUSD will enjoy the benefits of the hard work of the parent volunteers who support them when hosting a parking fundraiser!

A true win-win for all, especially the kids!

Have a great day, everybody!

Sincerely,
Edmund Lee
Parking Fundraiser Co-Chair