Q. Does my donation cost me anything?
A. The donation is paid directly to SAFE Lutheran; but at tax filing, your donation is subtracted from your tax liability and in essence, returned to you. (Consider what you paid last year to the State of Arizona, even if you received a refund.)
Q. Will my employer match my gift?
A. Check with your employer.
Q. May I designate a scholarship gift to a school?
A. Yes, SAFE Lutheran allows you to designate any of the schools listed on this brochure.
Q. May I designate my gift to a specific child?
NEW A. Effective January 1, 2011 by Arizona tax amendment, School Tuition Organizations cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of a donor’s recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent.
Q. How are scholarships awarded?
A. Applicants must complete a scholarship request, and the form for National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts (42 USC 1751-1785) which provide scholarship guidelines.
Recommendations are forwarded quarterly to SAFE Lutheran for approval. Checks are issued to the schools to be applied to student accounts.
Q. For what time period will scholarships be awarded?
A. SAFE Lutheran awards funds at quarterly meetings based upon funds available three weeks prior to the meeting.
December funds received by: December 15, 2010
February funds received by: January 15, 2011
May funds received by: April 15, 2011
August funds received by: August 1, 2011
Q. Why should members of churches who do not have Christian Day Schools donate to SAFE Lutheran?
A. Churches without schools can support churches who offer an excellent Christian education opportunity.
Q. Is December 31 of the tax year my deadline to make a gift?
NEW A. Contributions, made on or before April 15, may be applied to either the current or preceding taxable year and are considered to have been made on the last day of that taxable year. Donor is responsible for indicating which tax year donation is to be credited.
Q. What will I need to claim my tax credit?
A. The SAFE Lutheran treasurer will send you a letter/receipt with your name, address and donation amount, as required by the Arizona Department of Revenue.
Arizona Tax Forms AZ140, AZ323, AZ301 AZ140,
Q. Where do I send my money?
A. Your money and donation form must be sent to:
SAFE Lutheran
P.O. Box 65855
Tucson, AZ 85728-5855