School Readiness Tax Credits
Did you know that you can keep your tax dollars in our community and support early learners?
For each LA Tax ID, you can contribute up to $5,000 to the Jefferson Ready Start Network’s Future Fund and receive a dollar-for-dollar refundable credit on Louisiana State taxes as part of School Readiness Tax Credits.
Investing in the care and education of young children is the “most efficient use” of public resources.
Nobel Laureate and Economist James Heckman
How It Works:
- Complete the School Readiness Tax Credit Contribution Form. Each Tax ID* can receive credit for up to $5,000.
- Businesses will receive a donation letter.
- Bring the letter and a copy of your receipt/check to your CPA.
- CPA files Schedule F, 68F credit code on LA state tax return.
- Credit is applied against your LA state tax liability.
- If your contribution exceeds your business’s tax burden, then you will receive a check for the difference.
- If any part of your donation is not eligible for the dollar-for-dollar credit, JRSN will provide a refund for the amount of the tax credit not realized.
*If you own multiple businesses, you can receive a refundable credit of up to $5,000 for each business that files an independent tax return. However, if your businesses are set up as flow-through entities, there is a limit of one tax credit (up to $5,000) per business owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, businesses can contribute online through the Jefferson Community Foundation web page linked here. Please ensure you provide your LA Tax ID number and select “Participate in JRSN School Readiness Tax Credits Program” as the designation.
The SRTC is refundable, meaning it’s available to a taxpayer even if they do not owe any taxes.
If the SRTC exceeds an individual’s tax burden, then the taxpayer will receive a check for the difference after filing their taxes.
Unlike a tax deduction, a tax credit is the whole value of the credit regardless of the tax bracket in which the taxpayer falls.
No, the School Readiness Tax Credits program is only for businesses. However, you can still support early care and education in Jefferson Parish by contributing to the JRSN Future Fund.
Donations that increase access to publicly funded seats are matched dollar for dollar by the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund! Learn more here: jeffersonreadystartnetwork.com/giving.
For more information about SRTCs, please refer to the Louisiana Department of Education’s Guidance and the department’s Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have questions, please call 504-349-8921.