Arizona taxpayers can donate to a local school or school district without sending it to Phoenix first, and you can choose what your donation goes for.
Arizona law (A.R.S. 43-1089.01) allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to$200 for a single individual or a head of household and $400 for a married couple filing a joint return for donations that benefit students in our public schools. That’s not just a deduction, it’s a tax credit – it reduces what you owe in state taxes, dollar-for-dollar.
Make your donation online or send your donation in person to the school or school district of your choice, earmarked for support of one of many qualifying extracurricular activities. They will send you a receipt for your records. Then, when you fill out your Arizona state tax forms, you can subtract your donation – up to $400 – from what you owe in taxes.
All Arizona tax payers are eligible: you do not have to have children within the school district to benefit from this law.
By law, only donations to extracurricular activities that charge a fee, such as tutoring, athletics, band, orchestra, field trips, special programs and more qualify for the tax credit. Donations can be directed toward a specific activity at a specific school.
Donations can be designated in multiple ways:
- Designated for a specific child’s participation in an extracurricular activity
- Designated for a specific school(s)
- Designated for a specific program(s)
- Designated to be directed to the school(s) that has the greatest need.
Visit the school district’s website to access donating with a credit or debit card, or to print out a donation form. You can mail it or take it to the school and they will send a receipt you will need to file with your state tax return and Arizona State Tax form 322.