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Support FSS> Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program>


Businesses can donate to Friends Select School and pay fewer tax dollars as a result. The Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) makes it possible.

Friends Select is an approved Scholarship Organization and has already received support through the EITC Program. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has allocated $45 million in tax credits to the EITC program for 2008/2009. Funds are disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2009.

How does it work?  Businesses participating in the EITC program can achieve tax savings in two ways:

1. Credit against Pennsylvania state taxes – the tax deduction is dollar-for-dollar against tax due.
2. Deduction against net income as a charitable donation.

How is that possible?  The dollars the business would have paid to the state in taxes will instead be diverted to Friends Select in satisfaction of up to $300,000 of the company’s Pennsylvania tax liability.

See the FAQs below for how to help our school access this great source of “free” money!





The Philadelphia Contributionship recently made a $20,000 donation to Friends Select School through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.  The donation was made at the request of Phoebe Haddon, parent of a student who attended Friends Select.

The company is the oldest property insurance company in the country, founded in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin as The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire.  The Contributionship and Friends Select both hold prominent places in the long, colorful history of Philadelphia.

Ernest Jones, chairman of the company’s board contributions committee, shared his reasons for supporting the school:

The EITC program is an excellent way of stretching limited funds and promotes support for one of the most important activities any society can engage in – the education of its youth. Friends Select School was chosen to receive funding because of its outstanding academic programs and its commitment to a diverse student body.



What is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program?
The EITC Program enables companies to support nonprofit schools at minimal cost. Instead of sending tax dollars to Harrisburg, companies can reallocate them to support Friends Select’s financial aid program.

Who may make EITC gifts?
You might be surprised.  Businesses ranging from neighborhood pharmacies, to mid-sized companies, to large corporations all are eligible.  This includes the following type of businesses.
• C-Corporations (taxed at the corporate level)
• S-Corporations
• Partnerships
• Sole Proprietors
• Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s)
• And new this year, subchapter S corporations and other business entities that pay their State business taxes under the personal income tax on PA business income can now fully participate. 

Here are the business taxes you can claim credits against:
• Corporate net income tax
• Capital stock/franchise tax
• Bank and trust company shares tax
• Title insurance companies shares tax
• Insurance premiums tax
• Mutual thrift institutions tax

How much of a business’ tax liability can be donated to Friends Select through EITC?
Businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 75% of a contribution up to $300,000 per taxable year. The tax credit increases to 90% if the business agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive years. A charitable contribution deduction may be available to a business for the remaining contribution amount not eligible for a tax credit – making the total for cost ZERO.

Where do I get an application?
The simple, one page application form is available through the Department of Community and Economic Development at (717) 787-7120 or at www.newpa.com.   Select “EITC Business Guidelines” for further information and the application form.  The process is very simple:

1. Business completes one page application and submits it to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
2. Business receives a letter of approval from DCED.
3. Business submits monetary contribution within 60 days to Friends Select School.
4. Friends Select provides business with acknowledgment of contribution.
5. Business submits acknowledgment to DCED.
6. DCED communicates with PA Dept. of Revenue and applicable tax credit is applied to business tax account.
7. Credit is taken as a payment of taxes on businesses’ annual tax return filing.

When do I submit the application?
For this year, the application should be submitted a.s.a.p., because the money is disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis. The final cut-off is June 30, 2009.

Can Friends Select help me apply?
Yes. We will work with you – even complete the application for your signature, and deliver it for you. We want to make the process as simple as possible.

Who should I contact at Friends Select to learn more or to discuss my interest in making an EITC gift?

Christine Jefferson
Director of Development, (215) 561-5900, ext. 141 or 
chrisj@friends-select.org
 
or
Vaishalee Sampat
Development Coordinator, (215) 561-5900 ext. 139 or vaishallees@friends-select.org



The Development Department thanks the following individuals for contributing their time and expertise to the Friends Select School EITC program:

Oliver  Boulind (FSS parent)
Vice President – Financial Analyst
Aberdeen Asset Management
 
John Chin ’83 (FSS Parent), Chairperson
Executive Director
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation

Yvonne Clayton (FSS Parent)
Shareholder
Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin

Peter Dean (FSS Parent)
President
Leaders by Design

Bart Delfiner (FSS Parent)
Broker/Developer
Equity Retail Brokers, Inc.

Michael Feighan (FSS Parent)
Executive Vice President
Chubb and Son

Christine Jefferson
Director of Development
Friends Select School

Louis (Lou) Marchesani (FSS Parent)
President
March Technology, Inc.

Edward (Ted)  Millstein (FSS Parent)
Managing Director
Context Balance Partners, LLC

Alexandra (Alex) Parson (FSS Parent)
Assistant Vice President
Delaware Investments

Joseph E.  Ronan, Jr.’72
Senior Counsel
Morgan Lewis & Bockius

Vaishalee Sampat
Director of Parent Programs/Development Coordinator
Friends Select School

Kevin Satterthwaite (FSS Parent)
President
Innovative Technology Consulting Services

Scott Schaeffer (FSS Parent)
President
RAIT Financial Trust

Risa Stolker (FSS Parent)
Vice President – Wealth Planner
PNC Wealth Management




Friends Select School / 17th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway / Philadelphia, PA 19103-1284 / 215-561-5900 phone / 215-864-2979 fax

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