Educational Improvement Tax Credit

The Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program allows businesses and individuals to redirect their state tax liability to support K-12 scholarships, pre-K programs, or innovative educational initiatives.

Why Contribute?

The EITC program helps to keep Waldorf School of Pittsburgh affordable for qualified students in need of tuition assistance. While 100% of EITC donation directly benefit those families, EITC donors receive up to a 90% credit on their gift against their Pennsylvania State Taxes.

How do I get involved?

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

You are eligible if:

You pay Pennsylvania State Income Tax.
You work for, or own, a for-profit business (this includes most employees, S-Corp shareholders, and LLC members).
Your annual PA tax liability is at least $3,500 (this typically equates to a household income of approximately $115,000+).

Step 2: Partner with an SPE & Sign a Joinder Agreement

Because individual tax credits are limited, you must partner with a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) that pools donors together. Two such organizations are Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund and BLOCS.
An SPE is a legal "middleman" that pools individual donors into a single group, allowing you to easily access state tax credits that would otherwise only be available to large corporations.
Once you select an SPE, complete a non-binding tax credit reservation form, also known as a Joinder Agreement. Be sure to list 'Waldorf School of Pittsburgh' as your school of choice for the conributions.

Step 3: Make Your Contribution

Once the state approves the SPE’s application, you will be notified by the SPE and sent an invoice for the tax liability.

You will have certain period of time to send your check to the SPE.
The SPE then sends 100% of your donation directly to our school for scholarships.

Step 4: Receive Your Tax Credit

In February of the following year, the SPE will send you a Schedule K-1.

Give this form to your accountant or use it when filing your state taxes.
You will receive a 90% Pennsylvania Tax Credit.
The remaining 10% can often be claimed as a charitable deduction on your Federal return.

What else do I need to know?

How can I determine the size of my gift?

Consult your tax advisor to determine your estimated PA tax liability (PA-40, line 12 of your most recent return). The minimum gift is $3,500, and tax credits cannot be carried over to another tax year.

When should I apply?

Joinders are approved on a first-come/first-served basis. The sooner you apply, the better chances you have of securing tax credits. There is typically a Fall and Spring round of credits available each year.

Do I have to reapply each year?

Typically donors from the previous year receive the opportunity to renew their gifts first before assigning available credits to new donors. Returning donors can also request additional credits before they are offered to new donors.

What are the benefits of the EITC program?

It helps Pennsylvania families with students with household incomes below $112,348 (+$19,775 for each dependent).
Waldorf School of Pittsburgh donors receive up to a 90% PA tax credit from their gifts.
It makes the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh affordable for deserving families!

Interested in learning more?

Contract Kim Wynnyckyj, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement at

kwynnyckyj@waldorfpittsburgh.org or 412.441.5792, ext 235 for help navigating the process.