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Tax Credit Survey Results
For Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona
A Letter from Chairman of the Board
Curtis Johnson
Thank you to all who took our survey about the Arizona Tax Credit. The results are as follows:
- 83% of you know about the Tax Credit
- 73% have donated to charities and received the Tax Credit
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51% know that you can donate the full amount to both school activities and charities
- 39% know that you can donate in any amount from $1.00 to $841.00 per year to both charities and school activities
- 56% knew that you can donate until April 15th for the previous year
- 81% know that Sharing Down Syndrome is a Qualifying Charitable Organization
What does all this mean? Since 1991, Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona (Sharing) has provided ongoing parent support to families. All Sharing programs are FREE to families. We have been able to do this because of thoughtful donors who recognize the good Sharing does for the community. I believe the long-term answer to funding these worthwhile programs is to use the Arizona Tax Credit. This program allows individuals to donate to Sharing without costing that person a penny of their own money.
This Tax Credit program began in 1998 and became popular in 2009. In 2020, more than 200,000 Arizona taxpayers donated $109 million through this program to the charities they cared about. That is $109 million less in taxes owed to the state of Arizona and $109 million more for Arizona’s charities.
The recent article from the Arizona Republic, “Proof that State Tax Credits Works,” states that it is amazing that our state encourages its citizens to use this tax credit program. Their research estimates that up to 70% would be used by the state to administer grants and services for local nonprofits. By contrast, 100% of the donation goes directly to the specific charity if the taxpayer selects where they would like their donation to go.
The state of Arizona wants its citizens to decide for themselves which public charities deserve their support.
Sharing Down Syndrome is loved by all families who have been served by them. Sharing’s programs including New Parent Support, Monthly Educational Meetings, and Workshops provide the tools parents need to feel empowered as they become their child’s greatest advocate. Social events like their Christmas Party in the Park, World Down Syndrome Day Celebration, and Annual Sharing Down Syndrome Walk are among some of parent’s favorites.
If everyone understood the benefits the Arizona Tax Credit provides and chose to donate to Sharing, this good work could go on forever.
You can donate from $1 up to $841 per couple or $441 per individual per year.
Two important reminders:
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You can donate the full amount, up to $841.00 each, to your favorite charity (hopefully us 😊) AND to your favorite school program.
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The deadline has been changed from Dec 31st to April 15th for contributing for the prior tax year. This means, for example, that you can still donate for 2023 up until you file your tax returns by April 15th.
The tax form you will fill out is appropriately called “Form 321.” (Fitting since 3/21 is our World Down Syndrome Day.”) You must enter the amount you wish to donate three times and be sure to add Sharing’s QCO code of 20543.
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please use the donation button at the end of this letter. Thank you in advance for considering using the Arizona Tax Credit to help Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona continue serving those in need. You may wish to work with your accountant or tax advisor to do this, but it is easy to do.
Curtis Johnson - Chairman of the Board
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