There is still $7.57 million remaining for scholarship organizations and approximately, $1.12 million remaining for pre-k scholarship organizations. It is critically important that every scholarship and pre-k scholarship organization do everything possible to find businesses to take advantage of the remaining tax credits as quickly as possible. Having EITC funds available as we enter budget negotiation time will make it extremely difficult to make the case for expanding the program again for the 2008-09 fiscal year. Email mail@paschoolchoice.org for a “swiss cheese” press release; just enter information about your organization and send to local media. What your organization can do:

Ask your donors to take their second year contributions now. As long as their contribution will not put them over the $200,000 max tax credit ($100,000 for pre-k), they can make their contributions now instead of waiting till May.

Example: A company agreed to make a two-year $50,000 contribution in July of 2007. They can make their 2nd year $50,000 contribution now instead of waiting until July.

Ask you donors to make a supplemental contribution. If a donor’s tax liability has significantly increased from last year, and they have not reached the max tax credit, they could apply for additional tax credits now.

Example: A company agreed to make a two-year $10,000 contribution in July of 2007. Their tax liability has doubled this current fiscal year. They could apply for a supplemental two-year $5,000 contribution now. Contribute $5,000 now and the other $5,000 in July along with their original $10,000.

Did you know that a portion of the business tax you pay in Pennsylvania could be redirected to provide scholarships to students at Mercy Vocational High School? Just think YOU could direct your tax money where YOU want it to go!

Through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, significant tax incentives are provided to eligible businesses that allocate a portion of their business taxes to scholarship organizations. Mercy Vocational High School is such a scholarship organization. Check out the Department of Community and Economic Development's (DCED) website, www.inventpa.com.

Consider this – you can pay State taxes without a voice about how those dollars are spent, or you can redirect these dollars to benefit students Mercy Vocational High School, who will enter the workforce of this region with the skills and discipline to be conscientious, reliable employees for you and other local businesses.