In the State of Arizona, residents are offered the opportunity to determine how their tax dollars are spent.

In fact, tax payers can choose to donate dollars to School Tuition Organizations (STOs) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.  This means for every dollar donated, a person receives a dollar credit.  In essence, you can direct your tax dollars to organizations that scholarship students for private education.  Furthermore, did you know that even with a refund you probably have an Arizona State Tax Liability?  This means that you paid more towards your Arizona tax liability than you needed to.  In that case, you can still make a tax credit donation for your tax liability and receive a higher refund.

For the 2016 tax year, individuals are allowed to designate $528 (single and head of household) or $1,056 (married filing jointly) for an Original Income Tax Credit.  Additionally, the New Overflow/Plus Tax Credit allows individuals to donate an additional $525 (single and head of household) or $1,050 (married filing jointly).  Also, donors may be qualified to deduct this donation on a federal return for 25% (see your tax advisor for advice).

Established in 2006, Life Development Institute Education Fund (LDIEF) is a non-profit private school tuition organization (STO) that solely exists for the purpose of funding a private education for less-fortunate students under Arizona Private School Tuition Law of 1997 (A.R.S. Section 43-1089).

Our mission is to provide financial assistance for highly motivated and bright applicants who are seeking to improve their lives and enhance society though private education.

Life Development Institute Education Fund is committed to providing opportunities to high school students seeking a private education with an emphasis on awarding scholarships to students who have social learning difficulties such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Learning Disabilities (LD), ADHD and other similar difficulties.

In addition to supporting other schools, LDIEF has provided scholarships to a 5-week summer academy in Flagstaff, AZ.  In the last 3 years, LDIEF has sponsored 75% of this summer academy students.  This means that 28 students received a total of $210,000 in scholarships.  Additionally, LDIEF has helped a local day high school program by providing scholarships to 10 students that totals $270,000.  As a small STO, LDIEF has provided over a half million dollars to students throughout the state!!  Furthermore, the two programs mentioned previously have both had a 90% successful completion rate with 90% of students graduating from their programs.

As such, if you are someone who has tax liability in Arizona, we ask that you consider making a dollar-for-dollar tax credit donation to Life Development Institute Education Fund (LDIEF).  LDIEF exists as a School Tuition Organization and is a separate 501(c)3 corporation that collects tax credit donations to provide scholarships to less  fortunate children and young adults.  LDIEF’s mission is to enroll students into schools and programs that would not otherwise be able to afford a private education.  By offering scholarships through taxpayer donations, highly motivated and bright applicants are able to seek opportunities to better their lives and enhance society.

For more information on making a tax credit donation to LDIEF, please visit www.ldieducationfund.org.  Additionally, you can reach LDIEF by emailing donate@life-development-inst.org or calling 623-773-2774.