Giving

Overview

The program provides tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to an Opportunity Scholarship Organization. Business contributions are then used by Opportunity Scholarship Organizations to provide tuition assistance in the form of scholarships to eligible students residing within the boundaries of a low-achieving school to attend another public school outside of their district or nonpublic school. A low-achieving school is defined as a public elementary or secondary school ranking in the bottom 15 percent of their designation as an elementary or secondary school based upon combined math and reading Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) scores.

For Parents, Students and Opportunity Scholarship Organizations

Students who live within the attendance boundaries of a low-achieving school, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, are eligible to receive a scholarship if their household’s annual income is no greater than $76,350 plus $15,270 for each dependent member of the household. The maximum scholarship award available to non-special education students is $8,500 and the maximum for a special education student is $15,000.

Uses

Tax credits may be applied against the tax liability of a business for the tax year in which the contribution was made. The tax credits awarded to businesses will be equal to 75% of their contribution amount, which can be increased to 90 percent upon the business committing for two years. The total may not exceed $400,000 per taxable year.

Funding

Tax credits equal to 75% of its contribution up to a maximum of $400,000 per taxable year; can be increased to 90% of the contribution, if a business agrees to provide same amount for two consecutive tax years.

Eligibility

Businesses authorized to do business in Pennsylvania who are subject to one or more of the following taxes: Corporate Net Income Tax; Capital Stock Franchise Tax, Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax; Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax; Insurance Premiums Tax; Mutual Thrift Institution Tax; Malt Beverage Tax, or a tax under Article XVI of the Act of May 17, 1921, known as the Insurance Company Law of 1921. This includes the Personal Income Tax of S corporation shareholders or Partnership partners.

Terms

An approved company must provide proof to DCED within 90 days of the notification letter that the contribution was made within 60 days of the notification letter; Tax credits not used in the tax year the contribution was made may not be carried forward or carried back and is not refundable or transferable.

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program (OSTC)

What is this?

As a steward of God’s resources, it is important that you use your assets to their fullest potential during your lifetime, both in caring for your family and in serving the Lord. On a personal level, estate plans provide for your loved ones and help you avoid unnecessary taxes. At the same time, they help support ministries like Bethel Christian.

Because none of us can know when the Lord will call us home, this task carries some urgency. But it is easy to put off. The absence of a plan can have a devastating impact on your estate–and your loved ones. A proper estate plan should accomplish the following:

• Express God’s plan of stewardship
• Provide for your dependents’ financial and guardianship needs
• Transfer your assets to your loved ones and charitable beneficiaries
• Manage your estate in a tax-efficient manner with the least possible heartache, cost, or delay

We ask that you consider making Bethel Christian part of your estate plan. By graciously including the school in your estate plan you richly impact lives for eternity.

Here are 9 ways to have a lasting impact:

1. Prepare a will, or amend your will, to leave a gift to BCS.
2. Use securities, real estate or other assets for your charitable gift to BCS.
3. Name BCS as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan.
4. Purchase a “charitable gift annuity” naming BCS as beneficiary.
5. Name BCS as the beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy.
6. Use a “life estate agreement” to leave your home, farm, or vacation home to BCS.
7. Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts to BCS.
8. Encourage family members and friends to leave gifts to BCS in their wills.
9. Ask your financial advisor, accountant and attorney to include charitable giving as part of their counsel to other clients.