The Ohio Scholarship Donation Tax Credit enables taxpayers to support their educational institutions with a tax benefit. The OSD credit allows the aforementioned credit on the individual taxpayer and pass-through category for the monetary donation during the tax year to one or more recognized Scholarship Granting Organizations; the credit is the lower of $750 or the sum of donations made to SGOs during the tax year. If it is filed jointly, then each spouse is entitled to take up to $750, so the total possible credit is $1,500.

How to Find Certified SGOs

You can find certified SGOs by checking the Ohio Attorney General’s website, which lists those organizations that have been certified to accept donations under this tax credit program. You will want to confirm the SGO is currently certified before you make your donation.

How to Claim the Credit

To take the Ohio Scholarship Donation Tax Credit, follow these procedures:

1. Donation in the tax filing year: make a donation to an eligible certified SGO before filing one’s taxes.

2. Documentation: request a receipt or a letter from the SGO, acknowledging the donor’s donation.

3. Filing the tax return: file with attached documentation to the state’s tax return.

4. Claim the Credit: Claim the credit by entering the amount of your donation onto the relevant line of your Ohio tax return.

The credit provides more than just educational opportunities for students. It gives a taxpayer a way to contribute back to their communities and an extra motivation to do so.