IT’S TIME TO TAKE THE CREDIT!!!!

Get a JUMP on your Year 2009 Taxes: Take advantage of the $200 (or $400 if married and filing jointly) Arizona State Tax Credit. Any amount up to $200-$400 is appreciated.

Did you know? Arizona law (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows Arizona taxpayers to contribute up to $200 ($400 if married and filing jointly) to a public school and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their state taxes. The tax credit is available for contributions which are earmarked to support a qualifying extracurricular activity. Any taxpayer is eligible for the credit and you don’t have to be a parent. Okay, so how does the “tax credit” work? Just send a donation by check or money order to the school of your choice. Your donation may be designated for the general support of extracurricular programs or you may designate a specific extracurricular program. You may also specify that your donation is a fee to cover the cost of a specific child’s participation in a specific activity. You may include your social security number (optional) with your donation so the school can send you the receipt that is required to take the tax credit. Then, when you fill out your 2009 Arizona tax return you can subtract the amount of your contribution – up to $200 or $400 maximum – from what you owe in taxes for the year. It’s not just a deduction; it’s a credit. For a change, YOU decide how your tax dollars will be spent. If you pay Arizona Income Tax, you can take advantage of this opportunity. Everyone benefits. It’s a WIN-WIN situation! You gain a Tax Credit and the School of your choice gains $200-$400. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, “A credit of up to $200 ($400 if married and filing jointly) is available for payment of fees to an Arizona public school for support of extracurricular activities.” Extracurricular activities are defined as school-sponsored activities that require enrolled students to pay a fee in order to participate. Such activities include (but are not limited to): field trips, fine arts (band, chorus, orchestra), visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery), and athletics. Uniforms and equipment for these activities and scientific laboratory equipment and materials are also included. Schools benefit because extracurricular activities help children develop qualities, such as leadership, cooperation, and personal growth. They also provide safe, supervised activities for students. There is just one small problem. I just don’t have $200-$400 to donate all at once. Does that mean I can’t get this tax credit? You don’t have to give the full $200-$400 all at once. The Tax Credit donation can be contributed in increments throughout the Year 2009. You don’t have to give all $200-$400 to one school. Portions of the Tax Credit can be donated to several schools. (A tax advisor can also help you to adjust the amount withheld from your paychecks so that your “take-home” pay will not be affected by your decision to contribute to the school tax credit). And, just who gets this money? The schools! If you don’t have any particular school in mind, you can make your tax credit donation directly to Amphitheater Public Schools. The district will distribute all funds contributed in this manner to those schools with the greatest need. Your Tax Credit donation can only be used by schools with extracurricular activities programs. The money cannot be used by the Amphitheater District as a central entity. In cases of undesignated Tax Credit contributions, the district merely acts as a clearinghouse for the schools with the greatest need. Exactly how does my contribution help kids? It helps students participate in extracurricular programs, like sports, the arts, clubs and other activities that enrich their education and provide them with valuable life experiences. As noted, you can specify the program you want to help or, better yet, let your donation help the school with the greatest need. So, this could fix a lot of money problems? Keep in mind that the tax credit can only be used for extracurricular activities. It can’t be used for teachers’ salaries and other Maintenance and Operations programs. So, I guess I had better not wait! You can start making contributions to your Year 2009 Arizona School Tax Credit at any time and you’re correct that today is not too soon! For you to be eligible to receive the credit for this year, schools must receive your donation by the end of the year. Use this convenient form to send your contribution today. Schools must receive your donation no later than Thursday, December 17, 2009 or you may deliver it to Amphitheater District Offices no later than Friday, December 18, 2009 to ensure processing. One final note...If you contribute to the Arizona School Tax Credit that money might also be a "tax deduction" on your Federal Income Tax form. See your tax advisor for additional details. Please fill out the other side of this form and enclose it with your check. You will receive a receipt which should be provided to your tax preparer. Any donations postmarked 12/31/09 or prior will be accepted. The Arizona School Tax Credit lets YOU decide where and how your tax dollars will be spent for a change.

2009 Arizona School Tax Credit Form

DONALDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Yes! I’d like to donate to the Amphitheater Unified School District and receive an Arizona State Tax Credit of up to $200 ($400 for married couples filing a joint return). Any amount up to $200-$400 is appreciated.

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________City__________________Zip Code__________

Phone: _________________Donation Amount: ___________Date of Donation: _____________

I’d like my contribution to be distributed as indicated below:

_____AS NEEDED

_____Field Trips

_____Assemblies

Other Activities may qualify such as:

Soccer Club, Science Club, Chess Club, Entrepreneur Club, News/Tech Club, Art, Music

(Please circle your choice)

Please feel free to call us to see if a particular activity qualifies (696-6160).

Make your check or money order payable to: Donaldson Elementary School

2040 West Omar Drive

Tucson, Arizona 85704

You may also drop your donation off in person.

This flyer does not contain tax advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always consult a professional tax advisor for tax advice to learn how this credit may affect you.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!