Berkeley

Your Taxes, Cash Flow and COVID-19 Crisis: an Interview With BOE Chair Malia Cohen

Published

5 years ago

April 9, 2020

A little over one year ago, members of the California Board of Equalization (BOE) unanimously selected Malia M. Cohen, former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, to chair the 141-year-old state agency.

Cohen made history when she became the first African-American woman elected to the Board of Equalization in November of 2018. She is also the first Black woman to serve as chair of the Board of Equalization, the agency responsible for administering California’s $70 billion property tax system.

In her role, Cohen represents nearly 10 million constituents residing in 23 counties in Northern and Central California, extending from Del Norte County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south.

She’s the youngest constitutional officer serving in California.

Our interview with Cohen is one of several we will have with state officials from all backgrounds. What they share with us will help keep African Americans in California up to speed with important news coming out of government that has direct impact on our lives, money, health and civil rights.

Our goal is to help close the information gap that exists between our community and other groups throughout our state.

California Black Media (CBM): The coronavirus pandemic is clearly impacting the economy. Just how bad is it?

Malia Cohen (MC): It’s bad. The pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down. Just this week, the governor announced that over 1.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment because of the pandemic. Many more will file in the weeks to come. State and local governments will lose revenue needed to maintain vital services. It is a true financial crisis.

CBM: How are our elected leaders responding to this financial crisis?

MC: Our African-American elected leaders in California’s Congressional delegation — Sen. Kamala Harris and congresswomen Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and Karen Bass — have been working overtime to provide financial assistance. W are fortunate to have our own Congresswoman Maxine Waters serving as chair of the House Financial Services Committee and Congresswoman Karen Bass serving as the chair of the Congressional Legislative Black Caucus. In the coming days, I look forward to working with these remarkable African American leaders to provide direct communication about financial relief for our community. One way will be through telephone town halls and community press communications just like this.

CBM: What can be done to assist persons who are suffering financially as a result of the pandemic?

MC: Action has already been taken to delay the date for filing and payment of income taxes to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board. The traditional tax day deadline of April 15 has been extended to July 15. Individual taxpayers seeking information about their own filing requirements can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and businesses can call 1-800-829-4933. For the California Franchise Tax Board, taxpayers can call 1-800-852-5711.

CBM: What help is coming for a person who just needs money to live on?

MC: Congress also approved payments of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, and $500 for each qualifying child. These funds will be sent to everyone who filed federal income taxes for either 2018 or 2019, and has an income under $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples. These checks will be reduced by $5 for every $100 above the $75,000 and $150,000 thresholds. Single filers with incomes over $99,000 and $198,000 for couples are not eligible.

CBM: How are the checks going to be distributed?

MC: They are going to be sent out via direct deposit to bank accounts.

CBM: What if the IRS does not have my direct deposit information, or if I have moved?

MC: According the IRS website, “In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.”

CBM: What about folks who usually don’t file tax returns, and can they get a check?

MC: According to the IRS, the website irs.gov/coronavirus is going to publish information about how to file for these coronavirus economic impact checks even if you have not filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019.

CBM: Do you have any other suggestions for persons who need relief?

MC: Yes. Please remember to file for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit if you or your family are eligible. Here’s how to file. If you have taxable earned income under $30,000, you can file and receive up to $240 if you have no children. If you have one child, the credit could be as high as $1,605. If you have three or more children, the credit rises to $2,982. In California, a taxpayer files Franchise Tax Board Form 3514 California Earned Income Tax Credit along with your state income tax return. To get a copy of Form 3514, go to the Franchise Tax Board website, ftb.ca.gov. Click on “Forms” in the top right of the website. Then, under “Get forms, instructions, and publications” click “Online.” On the next page, where it says “Form Number and/or Keywords” type in 3514. That will take you to the form for filing the California Earned Income Tax Credit.

Also, you may qualify for the federal IRS Earned Income Tax Credit. To qualify, you must file an income tax return with the IRS (Form 1040), and also be within income guidelines. If you have children, you attached “Schedule EIC” to your Form 1040. To get more information, go to the IRS website, irs.gov, click on “Credits and Deductions” at the top of the page. Then click on “Earned Income Credit (EITC).”

CBM: What about financial assistance for small businesses?

MC: Congress just passed a $349 billion paycheck protection program, which provides loans to small businesses to help them keep their workers on payroll. This is one way to help businesses so that they do not have to lay off their employees. Every eligible small business should consider taking advantage of this program.

CBM: Where can people get information about this program?

MC: Go to the website treasury.gov/cares and click on “Assistance for Small Business.”

CBM: What if I run a small business and can’t get together my California Sales Tax filing because of the governor’s stay-at-home order?

MC: Businesses affected by the coronavirus can request relief of interest or penalties or request an extension for filing a return by going to the California Department of Tax and Fee’s website: CDTFA.ca.gov. Go to the “Alert!” banner at the top of the page, and click on “Learn more” after the sentence, “CDTFA is able to make it easier for taxpayers to request relief.” Or, taxpayers can call: 1-800-400-7115.

CBM: Will taxpayers still have to pay their property taxes on April 10th?

MC: The April 10th deadline is fixed in statute. Only San Francisco has extended the deadline to May 4 due to the shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco. Local county tax collectors can relieve penalties and interests if they determine that failure to make timely payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control. Taxpayers would have to file for relief of penalties and interest with their county tax collector. I certainly hope that tax collectors are willing to grant relief to all who are impacted by the coronavirus and the stay-at-home orders.

CBM: How do we contact you if we need help?

MC: We are always eager to help. Call and leave me a message at 415-557-3000 or email me at MaliaCohen@boe.ca.gov and we will get back to you as soon as we can. My website at www.boe.ca.gov/Cohen has many helpful resources or you can follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter to receive updates.

Note: Complex tax laws and concepts were discussed in this interview. It may not address every situation and is not considered written advice. Changes in law or regulations may have occurred since the time this news release was written. If there is a conflict between the text of this news release and the law, decisions will be based upon the law and not this news release.

California Black Media Staff

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Activism

A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents

Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

UC Berkeley Law Students help a clinic visitor with legal advice at their Tuesday night services. The Clinic offers a variety of resources, including medical, to those in the community who have little access to these services. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Part One

By Magaly Muñoz

Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.

Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.

This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.

The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.

Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.

Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.

Visitors of the Suitcase Clinic can receive haircuts and foot washing by student volunteers every Tuesday evening. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.

Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.

Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.

The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.

The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.

The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.

Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.

Suitcase Clinic student workers posing for a photo with a frequent clinic attendee. The Clinic is open to Berkeley unhoused and low-income residents who need medical or legal service, or a hot meal. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.

An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.

However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.

She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.

But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Promise Marks Performs Songs of Etta James in One-Woman Show, “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley

“The (show) is a fictional story about a character named Etta, aka Lady Peaches,” said Marks. “She falls in love with Johnny Rhythm, leader of the Rhythm Players Band and headliners of Madam G’s Glitta Lounge.” Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy Of Promise Marks.

Special to the Post

It was “A Sunday Kind of Love” at the Black Repertory Group Theater in Berkeley on Saturday night, Dec. 7. The one-woman musical based on the music of Etta James featured the multi-talented singer Promise Marks

Marks, who wrote and directed the musical, also owns PM Productions.

Marks channeled the essence of Etta James, singing favorites such as “Sugar on the Floor” and “At Last.”

In between her soulful songs, Marks narrated impactful moments of the love story and journey of blues and forgiveness.

Marks sultry voice carried the audience back to an era that echoed with the power of Black music and a time of great change.

Marks said James shared love for the Black community by singing at gatherings during the Civil Rights Movement uplifting the people.

“She spoke to the movement, spoke to the people, and let her music speak for itself,” Marks said.

Backing the musical’s monologues, images and videos of Etta James are projected for the audience to view. While the production is fictional, Marks infused script with the unfairness and heartbreak James experienced while performing.

Marks performed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down” as she narrated acts of reconciliation and forgiveness among the characters at Johnny Rhythm’s deathbed.

Marks, who regularly sings for the Miss America Pageant, was asked to perform as Etta James last year. “(At the event) a lady yelled out to me: ‘You’re Etta James!’ And then the audience went crazy. I said to myself, ‘I may have something here,’” she said.

Within 12 months, Marks created the musical production, which featured a dozen songs honoring “the great legacy of Etta James,” she said.

Marks says she was saddened to see how Etta James was often judged by the struggles in her life and wanted to offer attendees a more layered view.

“Etta’s life was so big. I want people to know that she was more than her drug addiction,” said Marks. “We can’t make that her legacy. Her catalog is too amazing. You can’t just be that and have the catalog that she (created). I don’t want the addiction to be the focus: I want her music, her element, her sassiness, and what she brought to be the focus – her woman-ness, that she was strong, and I wanted to honor that.”

Set Designer Nora Burnette says she created the set segments to mirror James’ life story. A set designer for BRG since 2016, she explained that her process of researching the scenario and the character serve as her inspiration for her design.

“I try to design a set as close to real life as possible so that the actress can deliver the performance sincerely,” said Burnette. “By creating the right setting, it helps the actors release the true essence of a character.”

The set brought the story to life and absolutely floored Marks. “Once Promise (Marks) saw the actual set, she understood my vision: ‘Wow, you get me. You get it,'” Marks told the designer.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, Etta James, began her career in 1954 and gained fame with hits such “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” She faced a number of personal problems, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album “Seven Year Itch.”

Co-producer and BRG Development Director, Sean Vaughn Scott, works with Overseer Production. According to producer Pamela Spikes, “Marks talent truly does Etta’s life story justice.”

Pam Jacobs of Hercules, a friend of Marks’ mom, Jackie Smith, said, Marks “was fabulous and sang all of those songs flawlessly.”

“I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Smith.

Marks, who has served as an instructor for BRG, will return on Feb. 21- 23 for an encore run of the musical.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the BRG (Black Repertory Group) family and continue our executive director Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott’s vision for the Black Repertory Group theater,” said Marks.

The Black Repertory Group Theatre is located at 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703. For information, visit: BlackRepertoryGroup.com

Oakland Post

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”