As the 2022 tax deadline approaches, many people reflect on ways they can make a positive impact on our community.

If you are seeking ways to give back, you should look no further than schools within the Dysart Unified School District.

Arizona law allows married couples filing jointly a tax credit of up to $400 and individual taxpayers a tax credit of up to $200 when they contribute to extra-curricular activities in public schools. This tax credit is available to all who reside in Arizona and have a tax liability at least equal to that of their donation.

Contributions are donated directly to the schools, so your donations are used directly to support student activities of the Dysart school of your choice. Many people may think the deadline to give is the end of the year, but donations may actually be submitted through April 18 this year, so it’s not too late. Donations made between Jan. 1 and Tax Day can be submitted for either the previous year’s taxes, or the current year’s taxes, so you have two options if you give in this time period.

Donors receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, and it’s important to know that you don’t have to have children in school to participate. In Dysart, your donations can support four different areas of your choosing: Athletics, Fine Arts, Enrichment Programs, or the School May Designate category.

As the principal of Canyon Ridge School, I have personally seen our students benefit directly from the generous donations of our community members’ tax credit. We have used tax credit donations in a variety of ways to support after school programs.

This year, our girls soccer and boys volleyball teams were in need of new uniforms and we were able to use tax credit funds designated to athletics to help with this very costly purchase. To support our fine arts program, tax credit donations went toward the purchase of sheet music and instruments. We have three different choirs on campus, so the new sheet music allowed all choirs to learn new musical pieces.

Offering a variety of after school extracurricular activities is very important to meet the wide range of interests of our students from grade kindergarten to eighth grade. Tax credit donations have helped us offer an after-school gardening group that cultivates the outdoor classroom by growing a variety of plants and vegetables.

There are several extracurricular activities to support our STEM program which include: robotics, Mathletes, and the STEM Challenge Crew. Students in these events work with a facilitator that is paid using tax credit donations and will compete outside of the school at events during the school year.

Our students are also lucky to have the opportunity to participate in National Elementary Honors Society, National Junior Honor Society, and/or student council to pursue their interests in servant leadership where tax credits support the materials and sponsor fees.

Our school is so grateful for past donations and we look toward the generous support of community’s donations to continue to offer a well-rounded educational experience to all of our students. I know other schools feel the same way, and I encourage you to consider making an Arizona Education Tax Credit donation before April 18.

Just visit Dysart.org/TaxCredit to make an online donation or learn more.