Funding Innovation in Georgia’s Schools through the Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit

Are you aware of an education tax credit opportunity that could provide your clients with state tax benefits while advancing public education in Georgia?

Through the Qualified Education Donation (QED) Tax Credit, your individual and business clients may contribute to the tax credit, up to certain limits, and receive a dollar-for-dollar Georgia income tax credit. In turn, the Georgia Foundation for Public Education will use the contributions to support innovations in the state’s K-12 public schools. Since January 2018, the Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit has provided grants to public schools implementing programs that directly target the root causes of complex education problems.

The Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit is currently accepting applications for tax credits, which are only available until the annual $5 million cap is reached. Credits are approved on a first-come, first-serve basis, and individuals and businesses can donate up to the following contribution limits:

• Married couple filing jointly: Up to $2,500
• Married couple filing separate: Up to $1,250
• Single Individual or Head of Household: Up to $1,000
• S Corporation Shareholder, LLC Member or Partnership Partner: Up to $10,000
• Corporation or Fiduciary Taxpayer: Up to 75% of Georgia income tax liability

Contributing to the Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit allows your clients to direct their tax dollars to spur innovations in Georgia schools and receive a tax credit on their state income tax bill. All dollars contributed through the Qualified Education Donation Tax Credit are specifically used to support creative and innovative school programs and initiatives that otherwise would not have the money to operate.

Since 2018, QED funds have provided $1.7 million in grants to more than 100 schools and nonprofit organizations across 37 school districts. More money is available to support even more of Georgia’s 1.7 million public education students, but we need your help in spreading the word. When our schools have the opportunity to implement the most promising innovations, student achievement soars, resulting in students who are prepared to thrive in a 21st century workforce.

Applying for the QED tax credit is easy at www.gfpe.org. Once approved, donations should be made to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. For more information, visit www.gfpe.org/tax_credit or contact Paige Pushkin, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, at ppushkin@doe.k12.ga.us.