Section 23688.5.
Cal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23688.5.
in effect(a)
In the case of a qualified taxpayer who donates qualified donation items to a food bank located in California under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 58501) of Part 1 of Division 21 of the Food and Agricultural Code, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, and before January 1, 2027, there shall be allowed as a credit against the “tax,” defined by Section 23036, an amount equal to 15 percent of the qualified value of those qualified donation items.
(b)
For purposes of this section:
(1)
“Qualified donation item” means fresh fruits or fresh vegetables and the following raw agricultural products or processed foods:
(A)
All of the following:
(i)
“Fruits, nuts, or vegetables” as defined in Section 42510 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(ii)
“Meat food product” as defined in Section 18665 of the Food
and Agricultural Code.
(iii)
“Poultry” as defined in Section 18675 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(iv)
“Eggs” as defined in Section 75027 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(v)
“Fish” as defined in Section 58609 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(B)
All of the following food as defined in Section 109935 of the Health and Safety Code:
(i)
Rice.
(ii)
Beans.
(iii)
Fruits, nuts, and vegetables in canned, frozen, dried, dehydrated, and 100 percent juice forms.
(iv)
Any cheese, milk, yogurt, butter,
and dehydrated milk meeting the requirements in Division 15 (commencing with Section 32501) of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(v)
Infant formula subject to Section 114094.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
(vi)
Vegetable oil and olive oil.
(vii)
Soup, pasta sauce, and salsa.
(viii)
Bread and pasta.
(ix)
Canned meats and canned seafood.
(2)
(A)
“Qualified taxpayer” means the person responsible for planting a crop, managing the crop, and harvesting the crop from the land.
(B)
(i)
“Qualified taxpayer” also means the person
responsible for growing or raising a qualified donation item, or harvesting, packing, or processing a qualified donation item, provided that person is not a retailer.
(ii)
As used in this subparagraph, “retailer” means a person primarily engaged in the business of making retail sales directly to the public.
(3)
(A)
“Qualified value” shall be calculated by using the weighted average wholesale price based on the qualified taxpayer’s total like grade wholesale sales of the donated item sold within the calendar month of the qualified taxpayer’s donation.
(B)
If no wholesale sales of the donated item have occurred in the calendar month of the qualified taxpayer’s donation, the “qualified value” shall be equal to the nearest regional wholesale market price for the calendar month of the donation based
upon the same grade products as published by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service or its successor.
(c)
If the credit allowed by this section is claimed by the qualified taxpayer, any deduction otherwise allowed under this part for that amount of the cost paid or incurred by the qualified taxpayer that is eligible for the credit shall be reduced by the amount of the credit provided in subdivision (a).
(d)
The qualified taxpayer shall provide to the food bank the qualified value of the qualified donation items and information regarding the origin of where the qualified donation items were grown, processed, or both grown and processed. Upon receipt of the qualified donation items, the food bank shall provide a certificate to the qualified taxpayer. The certificate shall contain a statement signed and dated by a person authorized by that food
bank that the item is donated under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 58501) of Part 1 of Division 21 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The certificate shall also contain the type and quantity of items donated, the name of the qualified taxpayer or the qualified taxpayers, the name and address of the food bank, and, as provided by the qualified taxpayer, the qualified value of the qualified donation items and their origins. Upon the request of the Franchise Tax Board, the qualified taxpayer shall provide a copy of the certification to the Franchise Tax Board.
(e)
The credit allowed by this section may be claimed only on a timely filed original return.
(f)
In the case where the credit allowed by this section exceeds the “tax,” the excess may be carried over to reduce the “tax” in the following year, and for the six succeeding years if necessary, until the credit has been
exhausted.
(g)
This section shall be repealed on December 1, 2027.
(h)
The amendments made to this section by Chapter 431 of the Statutes of 2019 shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020.
References
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 58501.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 42510.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 18665.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 18675.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 75027.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 58609.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 109935.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 32501.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114094.5.
referencesCal. Revenue and Taxation Code - RTC § 23036.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026