The Arizona Private School Tuition Tax Credit law, A.R.S. Section 43-1089, allows Arizona taxpayers to make donations each year to Yuma's Education Scholarship Fund for Kids, Inc. (Yes! Fund for Kids).
A married couple filing jointly can make a donation up to $1,000 and a single tax-payer's donation can be up to $500. The taxpayer will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit against their Arizona state income tax. If the taxpayer has actual Arizona state income tax less than allowable credit, the law allows a carryover of any unused donation for up to five years.
A taxpayer may also be able to claim a federal deduction for the donation. The taxpayer should consult their tax advisor for specific tax advice.
The public school extra-curricular tax credit of $400 (for married taxpayers), or $200 (for a single taxpayer) can be taken in addition to the private school tax credit.
As a tax payer, you have the unique opportunity to support hundreds of deserving private school students in Arizona and it costs you virtually nothing! You are simply controlling where a portion of your tax dollars are spent. This is a way for you to keep some of your tax dollars in your local community. The deadline for donations is now April 15, so you can calculate your state tax liability and determine the maximum amount of credit that you should take.