Individual Taxpayer Support
Why should I support the JTO?
You will be helping families, children and Jewish day schools all at the same time – and it won’t cost you a dime! A minimum of 90 percent of JTO funds go to Jewish day school scholarships.
How can I support the JTO?
Based on your Arizona state tax liability for tax year 2024 you can take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $1,459 for an individual and $2,910 for couples filing joint returns.
When can I take the credit for 2024?
Up until April 15, 2025 or when you file your taxes, whichever comes first.
When can I take the credit for 2025?
You can provide your 2025 tax credit support starting January 1, 2025 through April 15, 2026.
How much should I give?
There is no minimum amount. For tax year 2024, you can receive a tax credit for your entire tax liability up to $1,459 for individuals or $2,910 for couples filing joint returns. Corporations can give more and receive a larger tax credit. Call our office for details 480-634-4926.
Is it possible to provide my support through payroll deductions?
Yes, if your employer offers its employees this service. Call the JTO and we will provide you with the information your employer will need. Most payroll deductions are done on a calendar year, so the deductions from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 will be for the 2024 tax credit. Payroll deductions MUST be made directly to the JTO by your employer, they cannot go through a third party.
Is a qualified charitable distribution made directly by the IRA trustee to an STO eligible for a tax credit?
No. Statute requires that contributions to STOs be made by cash or payroll withholding. A qualified charitable distribution, which satisfies the federal required minimum distribution, is made directly by the trustee to the charitable organization. Since the contribution is made by a third-party trustee of the IRA and not the individual, the contribution does not qualify for the tax credit.
Who can take the credit?
All Arizona taxpayers!
Do I have to fill out a form to provide support?
Yes, we are required by Arizona law to obtain certain information when we are given support.
What if I don’t have an Arizona state tax liability?
You can still support the JTO and there is not a maximum. The JTO is a registered 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
Will I receive documentation for my taxes?
YES. You will receive a tax credit receipt via email. The email will come from [email protected].
Can I take other state tax credits?
YES! You can take the Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit, the Public School Tax Credit, the Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization Tax Credit and the Veterans Tax Credit. Visit www.azdor.gov for more information on tax credits.
Does the tax credit apply to federal taxes?
You need to consult your tax professional for questions about federal taxes, or questions pertaining to your specific situation.
Who gets JTO scholarships?
Students attending Jewish day schools may receive JTO scholarships.
Are recommended funds guaranteed?
According to Arizona law, recommended funds cannot be guaranteed. The reason is that scholarships cannot be awarded based on recommendation alone; there must be additional criteria. Per the law, funds are distributed at the complete and sole discretion of the STO, in this case the JTO. All STOs by law must include the following notice on all materials: A school tuition organization cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of donor recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim the credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent.
Can I recommend my own child, or swap recommendations with another family?
The law specifically states that to take the tax credit a parent or guardian cannot recommend their own dependent(s), or agree to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent.
Can I recommend more than one student or school?
Yes you may divide your support for more than one student or school, you will need to call the JTO office and staff will be happy to help you.
Corporate Support
Can my business support the JTO?
YES! All C corporations, S corporations and LLCs that file as S corporations can take the credit if they do not pass their liability through to their shareholders or partners. Insurance companies can also take the credit. Matching grants and JTO payroll deductions can be set up as well. Call 480-634-4926 for details.
Can my business give recommended funds?
All corporate support provides need-based scholarships to low-income families and cannot be used for student recommendations. However, corporate funds can be recommended for a school fund, but will still go to provide need-based scholarships for students from low-income families attending that school.
Applicants
What types of scholarships are available?
The JTO offers three types of scholarships, corporate, switcher and original.
All JTO awards place emphasis on need-based families and are designed to help students whose families cannot afford the tuition and each family applying must meet certain criteria.
Some scholarships are made possible through recommendations by supporters who request that a particular student or school benefit from the funds they provide to the JTO. By law, recommendation cannot be the only criteria. Parents/guardians have the ability to raise recommended funds for their dependents by networking their friends, relatives and other resources. You cannot recommend your own child, or swap recommendations with another taxpayer for either of your own dependents and take the tax credit.
What does it cost to apply?
Applying to the JTO is free of charge.
How do I apply?
Beginning October 2023, the JTO’s application process was changed. Applications are now accepted through the JTO website through the applicant page. Applying through the applicant page is free of charge.
In order to receive any award from the JTO, all recipient families must submit an application. Even though your child has funds recommended for them, by law, an application must be submitted.
What are the deadlines to apply?
The state requires an application for every scholarship awarded, and a scholarship must be awarded for each year. While there is not a specific deadline, JTO awards are issued on a first-come first-serve basis. Applications open in January and the JTO starts awarding scholarships in May. As long as there is money available, the JTO will continue to award scholarships.
Are all students eligible to receive scholarship funds from the JTO?
While the JTO’s focus is on need-based scholarships, our criteria allows for most families to receive some type of award. The only exception to this is if your child receives funds from Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account, or ESA. By law, a student cannot receive both an ESA scholarship and an STO scholarship.
How do I know if I should apply for a scholarship?
Everyone with a child attending a Jewish day school should apply for a JTO scholarship using the simple application process.
How do I know what type of scholarship is best for my situation?
The JTO is happy to help you. Simply fill out the application in its entirety and we will be able to walk you through your options or call our office at 480.634.4926.
How will I know how much in recommended funds my child has received?
The JTO cannot provide you with the names of supporters who have recommended your child – it is against Arizona law. However, we can provide you with total amounts and are happy to do so. Simply login to your applicant account and scroll down to recommendations.
If it’s up to me to secure recommended funds, what do I need to know first?
There are several key concepts that will help you when talking to potential supporters that may recommend your child or children.
- Supporting the JTO through Arizona’s private school tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar credit against an Arizona tax liability, it is not a charitable donation that would only lower their taxable income. This means it’s a credit against money owed or already paid through deductions, so it becomes a net zero impact on the supporter – basically it doesn’t cost anything for them to support your child’s education.
- The maximum amount of the 2024 tax credits are $2,910 for couples filing jointly and $1,459 for single tax filers. Beginning in January 2025, the JTO can start accepting support for the 2025 tax year.
- The 2024 support must be given by April 15, 2025 or whenever the supporter files their taxes – whichever comes first. For 2025 support it must be given by April 15, 2026, or whenever the supporter files their taxes – whichever comes first. Supporters must give to the JTO before they file their taxes.
Can I ask out of state friends or relatives to take the credit and recommend my child?
For the recommendation to be taken as a state tax credit, the person providing support must have an Arizona state tax liability. You cannot take the credit against someone else’s Arizona taxes and give them the credit. Someone from out of state can make a contribution to the JTO and recommend those funds, but they need to check with their tax professional regarding claiming it as a tax deduction. The JTO is still obligated to abide by Arizona law that a child must meet other criteria beyond a recommendation to receive a scholarship.
I’m not having much success in obtaining recommendations for my child, what should I do?
Be confident in your knowledge of the tax credit and how the JTO works and then make a plan. Consider who you want to ask, how you want to ask (phone, email, letter, social media, in person) and when you are going to ask. It is never too soon to ask, you can always offer to follow up at a time closer to your contact’s decision time, but then make sure you do follow up.
Create an “elevator speech” for your ask and include key points that will resonate with your contact. Such as the importance of Jewish education, that the tax credit is dollar-for-dollar and won’t cost them any money, or any variable that you feel would be important/relevant to the person you are asking to support your child.
By going to your applicant page you can create a personal URL that you can forward to your contacts and request recommendations for your child/children.
Remember, not everyone you ask will agree to support your child. Just thank them for any consideration and move on to your next contact. You never know, they may say “no” one year and “yes” the following year.
What if my child is just starting kindergarten or was in a public school?
If your child is entering kindergarten, or has attended a public school for at least 90 days during the application year, it is beneficial for you to apply for a scholarship. There are specific funds, called “switcher” funds to provide scholarships for children entering kindergarten or “switching” from public school to private school. However, this must be done in the first year of the student attending private school. Once a child receives “switcher” funded scholarships, they are eligible to continue receiving scholarships from this source as long as they remain in private school.