Here’s what you need to know to claim a tax credit for a donation to a School Tuition Organization:
- Donations that qualify for this tax credit are those that provide scholarships or grants to qualified elementary and high schools.
- The maximum credit allowed is slightly higher for the 2016 tax year: up to $1,090 for married couples filing jointly and up to $545 for all other filers.
- Qualifying donations provide scholarships or grants to qualified elementary and high schools.
- You cannot designate a donation to directly benefit your dependent, but you can make a donation to benefit a relative who is not a dependent. “Swapping” — parents agreeing to contribute to each other’s kids — is prohibited.
- Before making a donation, check that the School Tuition Organization meets the Arizona Department of Revenue’s standards to qualify. For a list of organizations that qualify , visit http://bit.ly/2g8fVJk
- After you reach the maximum donation to a School Tuition Organization, the Private Learning Uplifting Students (PLUS) tax credit allows additional donations to School Tuition Organizations — up to $1,083 for a married couple filing jointly or $542 for all other filers. That is more than the maximum allowed for the 2015 tax year.
- To claim the Private School Tuition Organization tax credit, use Form 323.
- Use form 348 to claim the PLUS tax credit.
- Donations to the Private School Tuition Organization and to the PLUS tax credits must be made by April 18, 2017. Donations made between Jan. 1 and April 18 can be claimed on your 2016 or 2017 tax returns.
- When you make a donation, make sure you get a receipt showing the name and address of the school
- tuition o
- rganization, your name, the amount paid, and the date paid.
