Arizona Assistance to the Working Poor Tax Credit provides support for Goodwill, community

PHOENIX (November 25, 2008) — Goodwill of Central Arizona’s job training and employment programs for Arizona youth and adults are needed more than ever in this time of economic uncertainty. These programs are primarily funded through Goodwill’s retail thrift stores. However, Arizona taxpayers can help fund these vital community programs by paying part of their tax liability directly to Goodwill.

“Through the Arizona Assistance to the Working Poor Tax Credit, Arizonans can directly help change someone’s life as well as contribute to the economic vitality of our communities,” said Jim Burns, Chief Financial Officer for Goodwill of Central Arizona. “Taxpayers simply pay Goodwill what they would normally pay the state.”

Similar to the well-known school tax credit, taxpayers can give up to $200 for a single person or $400 for a married couple to a charitable organization such as Goodwill to help the working poor become more economically independent. The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit for organizations that serve the working poor is different from the tax credit available for supporting private school tuition and public school extracurricular activities. Taxpayers are eligible to receive dollar-for-dollar tax credits for all three.

In order to take advantage of the Arizona Assistance to the Working Poor Tax Credit and help change lives, taxpayers should itemize their deductions and have deducted charitable contributions on their Arizona state income tax return at least once in order to establish a baseline year and amount. Once a baseline year is established for charitable giving (as early as 1996), taxpayers then increase their charitable giving over their baseline year amount. Checks can be made payable to Goodwill of Central Arizona.

Goodwill provides employment services to Arizona youth and adults with disadvantaging conditions and barriers to employment such as illiteracy, disabilities and economic barriers. Goodwill believes that through the power of work, individuals are empowered and families are enriched, thus improving our communities.

For more information regarding how to utilize the Arizona Assistance to the Working Poor Tax Credit, please visit goodwillaz.org/donation/tax-credit.