Sabercats, and other Arizona taxpayers who wish to support Saguaro, have until December 31^st to take advantage of a state law that gives a $200 or $500 tax credit for a $200 or $500 donation to Saguaro. It is like giving "free" money to Saguaro since you will be getting the amount of your gift back from the State!

OK, you have to be someone who is going to deal with Arizona income tax, but even if you are not you can donate to Saguaro and probably use it as a general deduction on your taxes so don't stop reading just because you are an out of state Sabercat!

Unlike Proposition 301 money approved by Arizona voters in November, 2000, tax credits can be used only for public and private schools' extracurricular activities. That makes it a terrific way to remember the club or group you belonged to during your Saguaro years as you remember the "fun" of car washes, candy sales and whatever else you did to help raise funds!

Last year, 107,000 Arizonans donated $14.5 million to public schools statewide for field trips, art and athletics, and received a dollar-for-dollar credit on their state income taxes.

An additional $13.7 million in tax credits went to private school tuition donations that allow for a $500 tax credit for scholarship fund donations. I wonder how many of us with roots at Saguaro gave them a hand? Taxpayers can choose the school and the program they want to donate to regardless of where they live, so you can still help even if you are not living in Scottsdale, and receive the Tax Credit if you have to file an Arizona State Income Tax return.

Even if you do not qualify for the Tax Credit you can help spread the word among those that do such as is happening in the Washington School District. They raised about $290,000 last year and aggressively push the tax credit. One take-out restaurant in the area sends out district tax credit brochures with each delivery. That is nice community spirit!

In the Roosevelt Elementary School, it feeds a student-run cafe, fuels tutoring lessons, allows computer labs to stay open after school and pumps activity into a large number of clubs. It would appear that Saguaro, and the other Scottsdale District schools, could utilize donations in the very same fashion.

The tax credit program has drawn some criticism. A review of the program by The Arizona Republic, in early 2000, found that well-off public-school parents, for instance, paid for their childrens' trips, then claimed a tax credit. Schools in "wealthy areas" collected more money than those in poor neighborhoods.

Sen. Mary Hartley, D-Phoenix, wants to see changes in the 1997 Tax Credit law. She said it creates a disparity because wealthier districts more easily raise donations than poorer districts. She also worries that the credit could cost the state many more millions of dollars if more taxpayers took advantage of it.

Considering the way the Alternative-Fuel issue was handled, it might mean that public opinion on one issue may also effect an entirely different issue. It may be beneficial for Sabercats to contact their Arizona Legislative representatives and express your opinion about the School Tax Credit.

The Alumni Association is not sure what the Arizona Republic considers a "wealthy" area but there has been a steady decline in extracurricular opportunities for students at Saguaro as well as the middle and elementary schools. The standard answer is "lack of funds" so it appears the Scottsdale schools are not one of those "wealthy areas"!

The maximum amount of credit that can be obtained is $500 for contributions to a school tuition organization and $200 for payment of fees in support of extracurricular activities at an Arizona public school per return. If you file a joint return you can only obtain the maximum Tax Credit but if separate returns are filed by members of your household, each can make individual donations and receive Tax Credits up to the maximum. If you feel like giving an amount even greater then the Tax Credit you receive, the amount over the maximum will still apply as a standardized deduction. Even if you do not feel it within your means to give the maximum donation, or to a turion fund and an activity fund, an extra $25 or $50 could benefit Saguaro. So feel free to give whatever you wish.