Click (here) for the tax credit form

Write yourself a lower tax bill -- Use your tax credit to help our school!

Close you eyes. Imagine a place where everyone could give $400 to their favorite public school and get all that money back as a credit on their state taxes. Even better, imagine that money could turn into a charitable donation on Federal taxes, too."

"Wake up -- welcome to Arizona, the state where the taxed can write themselves a lower tax bill."

The previous was from an editorial in the Arizona Republic endorsing the state law allowing each household up to $400 in tax credit per year.

The primary mission of Eagle's Aerie School is Academics, so the majority of available financial resources are directed into the classrooms.

However, research and our experience show extracurricular activities provide a safe, wholesome place for young people to explore their interests and talents; builds potential vocational and avocational interest; contributes to a positive attitude towards their school; and leads to increased student achievement.

Donating up to $400 to Eagle's Aerie will make more extracurricular activities available to more students, and more affordable to the families who participate.

The Arizona school tax credit is not to be confused with a tax deduction. It is a dollar-for-dollar credit. For example, if you owed $500 in state income taxes, and you donate $400 to your school, you would subtract the $400 directly from the total bill, resulting in a $100 payment to the state. What's more, you can do this repeatedly each and every year. In addition, the $400 donation may be deducted from your federal tax bill for those who itemize their returns.

You do not even have to have a child enrolled in school -- every taxpayer can take advantage of this credit.

So, spread the word -- taxpayers can help themselves to a lower tax bill and help contribute to the financial well-being of their favorite school at the same time!

Click here for the tax credit form (printable pdf format). Fill out the form and drop it by the office or mail it to us. We need to have your check by December 31st to be used for this years' Tax Credit.

Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §43-1089.01 allows taxpayers a credit for the amount of any fees or cash contributions made to a public school in the State for the support of extracurricular activities or character education programs. Taxpayers who file a tax return as single or head of household are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $200. Laws 2005, Ch. 334, increased the tax credit for married couples filing a joint tax return to a maximum of $300 in taxable year 2005, and $400 in taxable year 2006 and thereafter. If married taxpayers file separate returns, each spouse can claim one-half of the tax credit that would have been allowed on a joint return. Extracurricular activities are defined in A.R.S. §15-342(24) as optional, noncredit, educational, or recreational activities which supplement the education program of the school, whether offered before, during, or after regular school hours. Extracurricular activities that are eligible for the tax credit are those school-sponsored activities that require enrolled students to pay a fee in order to participate, including fees for band uniforms, equipment or uniforms for varsity athletic activities, scientific laboratory materials, and in-state or out-of-state trips that are solely for competitive events. However, senior trips or events that are recreational, amusement, or tourist activities are specifically excluded from eligibility for the tax credit. Character education programs, as described in A.R.S. §15-719, include instructing students in the definition and application of at least six of the following character traits: truthfulness, responsibility, compassion, diligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, respect, attentiveness, obedience, orderliness, forgiveness, virtue, fairness, caring, citizenship, and integrity. If schools receive contributions that are not designated for a specific purpose, the site council for the school must determine how the contributions should be used at the school site. If a school does not have a site council, the principal, director, or chief administrator of the school must determine how the contributions that are not designated for a specific purpose should be used at the school site.

If you would like more information, please contact Scott Jensen at 480-988-3212 or easchool@eaglesaerie.com.

THANK YOU for your support of EAGLE'S AERIE SCHOOLS!

Click (here) for the tax credit form