​What are tax credit scholarships?

The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, “Invest in Kids,” provides a 75 percent Illinois state income tax credit to individuals and corporations that contribute money to a non-profit Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). The SGOs award scholarships to eligible students from low-income families. Donors will use money already owed to the state (taxes) and donate it to a needs-based scholarship instead, all while receiving a 75 percent state tax credit.

Through this program:

• An individual or corporation will receive a 75 percent credit on donations to an SGO. For example, if a person donates $1,000, they will receive a state tax credit of $7,500.

• Only individual donors (not businesses) can designate their donations to St. Hubert Catholic School.

• The credit can be rolled over for five years.

• Donors are prohibited from receiving a federal tax deduction for these donations.

• The program is capped at $100 million in donations, resulting in $75 million in total tax credits issued.

What is the process for donating?

New individual and corporate donors can reserve tax credits through mytax.illinois.gov by following these steps (renewal donors skip step 1)

1. Create a MyTax Illinois account on mytax.illinois.gov. Anyone applying for a scholarship tax credit is required to have an account. If you do not have one, the first step is requesting a Letter ID from the Illinois Department of Revenue. 

   • Request a Letter ID or review this short video Request Your Letter ID

2. Apply for a tax credit on mytax.illinois.gov. Donors will need to provide the following information: 

   • Region to which he/she plans to donate. St. Hubert Catholic School is located in Region 1

   • Name of SGO to which he/she plans to donate (the Archdiocese is partnering with Empower Illinois)

   • The amount he/she plans to donate

3. Donate to Empower Illinois within 60 days of receiving your application approval and the Contribution Authorization Certificate. 

   • Designate the donation to St. Hubert Catholic School

   • Contribution Authorization Certificate

4. Provide a certificate from the SGO to use tax credit when filing a 2022 return in 2023 or your 2023 return in 2024.

   CLICK HERE for step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process.