GA Code § 48-7-29.24 - Tax Credits for Contributions to Foster Child Support Organizations.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “Aging foster children” means:

(A) Foster children aged 16 through 18; and

(B) Former foster children aged 16 through 25 who were in foster care for at least six months after reaching age 14.

(2) “Aging-out program” means a program with the primary function of supporting aging foster children and justice involved youth.

(2.1) “Business enterprise” means any insurance company or the headquarters of any insurance company required to pay the tax provided for in Code Section 33-8-4.

(3) “Division” means the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services.

(4) “Foster child support organization” means:

(A) The aging-out program of the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation;

(B) The aging-out program of the University System of Georgia Foundation, provided that such program is certified by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget as an aging-out program; or

(C) Any domestic nonprofit corporation which maintains nonprofit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and tax exempt status under Code Section 48-7-25, that has the primary function of:

(i) Operating an aging-out program that primarily supports aging foster children or operating as or supporting a Georgia licensed child-placing agency or licensed child-caring institution; or

(ii) Disbursing funds directly to one or more of the entities identified in subparagraphs (A) or (B) or division (C)(i) of this paragraph.

(4.1) “Justice involved youth” means youth aged 18 through 25 who:

(A) Were previously or are currently committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice pursuant to a court order as authorized by paragraph (11) of subsection (a) of Code Section 15-11-601; and

(B) As a result of such commitment, have been previously placed or are currently placed in a nonsecure facility or community setting.

(4.2) “Mentorship services” means support services directly provided to an aging foster child or justice involved youth by a mentor, such as role modeling, informal counseling, guiding, motivating, and sharing time together.

(5) “Qualified contributions” means the preapproved contribution of funds made during the taxable year by a taxpayer or a business enterprise to a qualified organization under the terms and conditions of this Code section.

(6) “Qualified expenditures” means expenditures made by a qualified organization for the following purposes; provided, however, that such term shall not include any expenditures for which the qualified organization has received or is eligible to receive reimbursement from the division:

(A) The costs associated with tuition waivers granted pursuant to Code Section 20-3-660;

(B) Wraparound services for aging foster children and justice involved youth who are:

(1) Enrolled in a public or private postsecondary educational institution;

(2) Enrolled in a program to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(3) Enrolled in a recognized vocational school; or

(4) Participating in a registered apprenticeship program, provided that the participant and the organization for which the participant is an apprentice document that the participant is compliant with the rules of the apprenticeship program; or

(C) Mentorship services provided to aging foster children and justice involved youth; provided, however, that such expenditures shall not include:

(1) Compensation for a single mentor which exceeds $100.00 per month for an aging foster child or justice involved youth or $1,200.00 per year for any aging foster child or justice involved youth; or

(2) Payments made to employees of a qualified organization who perform duties other than providing mentorship services for the organization.

(7) “Qualified organization” means a foster child support organization that has been certified and listed by the division pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section.

(8) “Wraparound services” means services provided directly to aging foster children or justice involved youth to support their education through high school completion, vocational, and postsecondary education services, housing services, vocation services, medical services, counseling services, mentorship services, nutrition services, transportation services, daily living essentials and clothing, and up to $200.00 per month in direct cash payments for use on personal necessities.

(b)

(1) The aggregate amount of tax credits allowed under this Code section shall not exceed $20 million for calendar year 2025. For calendar years 2026 and after, the aggregate amount of tax credits allowed under this Code section shall not exceed $30 million per calendar year, and no more than $10 million of such aggregate amount shall be allowed for business enterprises.

(2) Subject to the aggregate limit provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection and the limitations of subsections (b.1), (b.2), and (k) of this Code section, each:

(A) Taxpayer shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for qualified contributions, as follows:

(i) In the case of a single individual or a head of household, the actual amount of qualified contributions made;

(ii) In the case of a married couple filing a joint return, the actual amount of qualified contributions made;

(iii) Anything to the contrary contained in division (i) or (ii) of this subparagraph notwithstanding, in the case of an individual taxpayer who is a member of a limited liability company duly formed under state law, a shareholder of a Subchapter “S” corporation, or a partner in a partnership, the actual amount of qualified contributions it made; provided, however, that tax credits pursuant to this paragraph shall only be allowed for the portion of the income on which such tax was actually paid by such member of the limited liability company, shareholder of a Subchapter “S” corporation, or partner in a partnership; or

(iv) In the case of a corporation or other entity not provided for in divisions (i) through (iii) of this subparagraph, the actual amount of qualified contributions made; and

(B) Business enterprise shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by Code Section 33-8-4 in an amount equal to its qualified contributions.

(b.1) For the period beginning on January 1 and ending on June 30 of each year, a taxpayer shall not be allowed a credit for contributions, and the commissioner shall not preapprove any contributions, that exceed the following limits:

(1) In the case of a single individual or a head of household, $2,500.00;

(2) In the case of a married couple filing a joint return, $5,000.00;

(3) In the case of an individual who is a member of a limited liability company duly formed under state law, a shareholder of a Subchapter “S” corporation, or a partner in a partnership, $5,000.00; or

(4) In the case of a corporation or other entity not provided for in paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection, 30 percent of such entity’s income tax liability.

(b.2) For the period beginning on July 1 and ending on December 31 of each year, to the extent that the aggregate amounts of tax credits authorized by subsection (b) of this Code section have not been reached, the commissioner shall preapprove, deny, or prorate additional requested amounts on a first come, first served basis and shall provide notice to such taxpayer and the qualified organization of such preapproval, denial, or proration.

(b.3) A taxpayer that is preapproved for a tax credit allowed pursuant to this Code section and that does not make a qualified contribution of the total preapproved amount shall be allowed such credit in an amount not to exceed 95 percent of the amount of the qualified contribution actually made by the taxpayer.

(c) The commissioner shall establish a page on the department’s public website for the purpose of implementing this Code section. Such page shall contain, at a minimum:

(1) A link to the division’s web based application for certification as a qualified organization as provided for in subsection (d) of this Code section;

(2) The current list of all qualified organizations;

(3) The total amount of tax credits remaining and available for preapproval for each year;

(4) A web based method for taxpayers or business enterprises seeking the preapproval status for contributions; and

(5) The information received by the department from each qualified organization pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (g) except for division (g)(1)(B)(iv) of this Code section.

(d)

(1) The division shall establish and maintain a web based application process for the purpose of certifying foster child support organizations as qualified organizations. At a minimum, such application created by the division shall include an agreement submitted by the applicant to fully comply with the terms and conditions of this Code section.

(2)

(A) Subject to the requirements of this subsection, the division shall certify any valid foster child support organization as a qualified organization upon successful completion of such application process and shall decertify an organization that fails to maintain the requirements to be a qualified organization or that the division determines to have violated any other law.

(B) For any foster child support organization that is not a Georgia licensed child-placing agency or licensed child-caring institution or that meets the definition of such term only as set forth in division (a)(4)(C)(ii) of this Code section to be certified as a qualified organization, such organization shall provide documentation demonstrating that for a period of at least two calendar years prior to the submission of its application, the organization has operated an aging-out program and, during that period, has provided services to at least 100 aging foster children or justice involved youth.

(C) After receiving certification pursuant to this subsection, each qualified organization other than a Georgia licensed child-placing agency or licensed child-caring institution shall annually demonstrate to the division’s satisfaction that it continues to maintain the requirements to be a qualified organization, and shall annually submit to the division a copy of such organization’s most recent annual audit.

(3) The division shall certify any foster child support organization operating as a Georgia licensed child-placing agency or licensed child-caring institution as a qualified organization within ten days of receipt of a written request or application.

(4) The division shall establish a process for rolling applications and certifications consistent with the requirements of this Code section.

(e)

(1) Prior to making a contribution to any qualified organization, the taxpayer or business enterprise shall electronically notify the department, in a manner specified by the commissioner, of the total amount of contribution that such taxpayer or business enterprise intends to make to such qualified organization.

(2) Within 30 days after receiving a request for preapproval of contributions, the commissioner shall preapprove, deny, or prorate requested amounts on a first come, first served basis and shall provide notice to such taxpayer or business enterprise and the qualified organization of such preapproval, denial, or proration. Such notices shall not require any signed release or notarized approval by the taxpayer or business enterprise. The preapproval of contributions by the commissioner shall be based solely on the availability of tax credits subject to the aggregate total limit established under paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section.

(3) Within 60 days after receiving the preapproval notice issued by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the taxpayer or business enterprise shall contribute the preapproved amount to the qualified organization or such preapproved contribution amount shall expire. The commissioner shall not include such expired amounts in determining the remaining amount available under the aggregate limit for the respective calendar year.

(f)

(1) Each qualified organization shall issue to each contributor a letter of confirmation of contribution, which shall include the taxpayer’s or business enterprise’s name, address, tax identification number, the amount of the qualified contribution, the date of the qualified contribution, and the total amount of the credit allowed to the taxpayer or business enterprise.

(2)

(A) In order for a taxpayer or business enterprise to claim the tax credit allowed under this Code section, all such applicable letters as provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be attached to the taxpayer’s tax return or a business enterprise’s tax return provided for in Code Section 33-8-6.

(B) If the taxpayer files an electronic return, such confirmation shall only be required to be electronically attached to the return if the Internal Revenue Service allows such attachments to be affixed and transmitted to the department. In any such event, the taxpayer shall maintain such confirmation and such confirmation shall only be made available to the commissioner upon request.

(C) With respect to a business enterprise’s tax return provided for in Code Section 33-8-6, the Commissioner of Insurance is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations regarding the manner in which such letters of confirmation of donations shall be filed in the case of tax returns filed electronically.

(3) The commissioner shall allow tax credits for any preapproved contributions made to a qualified organization at the time the contributions were made if such organization was a qualified organization at the time of the commissioner’s preapproval of the contributions and the taxpayer or business enterprise has otherwise complied with this Code section.

(g)

(1) Each qualified organization shall annually submit to the department no later than July 15 of each year:

(A) A complete copy of its IRS Form 990 including applicable attachments, or for any qualified organization that is not required by federal law to file an IRS Form 990, such organization shall submit to the commissioner equivalent information on a form prescribed by the commissioner; provided, however, that, if the organization’s IRS Form 990 is not prepared by the filing deadline, the organization shall provide such form at the same time it submits such form to the Internal Revenue Service; and

(B) A report detailing the contributions received during the calendar year pursuant to this Code section on a date determined by, and on a form provided by, the commissioner which shall include:

(i) The total number and dollar value of individual contributions and tax credits approved. Individual contributions shall include contributions made by those filing income tax returns as a single individual or head of household and those filing joint returns;

(ii) The total number and dollar value of corporate contributions and tax credits approved;

(iii) The total number and dollar value of all qualified expenditures made;

(iv) A list of contributors, including the dollar value of each contribution and the dollar value of each approved tax credit; and

(v) An accounting of the funds withheld from qualified contributions demonstrating that no more than 20 percent of such funds were withheld from qualified expenditures, as required by subparagraph (j)(1)(A) of this Code section.

(2) Except for the information published in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section, all information or reports relative to this Code section that were provided by qualified organizations to the department shall be confidential taxpayer information, governed by Code Sections 48-2-15, 48-7-60, and 48-7-61, whether such information relates to the contributor or the qualified organization.

(h) By April 1 of each year, each qualified organization shall post on its public website in a prominent place:

(1) A copy of its prior year’s annual financials containing the total amount of funds received from all sources relative to the amount of qualified contributions it received and the total amount and a description of how such contributions were utilized; and

(2) A certification, signed by the chief executive officer of the qualified organization and attested to by an independent accounting firm, which substantially complies with the following statement:

“I hereby certify that:

(A) The organization has materially complied with the requirements of subparagraph (j)(1)(A) of O.C.G.A. Section 48-7-29.24 in that no more than 20 percent of qualified contributions received by [the qualified organization] were retained by, withheld by, or otherwise paid to the organization; and

(B) The description of how [the qualified organization] utilized the qualified contributions is true and correct.”

(i)

(1) A taxpayer or business enterprise shall not be allowed to designate or direct the taxpayer’s or business enterprise’s qualified contributions to any particular purpose or for the direct benefit of any particular individual.

(2) A taxpayer or business enterprise that operates, owns, or is a subsidiary of an association, organization, or other entity that contracts directly with a qualified organization shall not be eligible for tax credits allowed under this Code section for contributions made to such qualified organization.

(3) In soliciting contributions, no person shall represent or direct that, in exchange for making qualified contributions to any qualified organization, a taxpayer or business enterprise shall receive any direct or particular benefit. The status as a qualified organization shall be revoked for any qualified organization determined to be in violation of this paragraph and shall not be renewed for at least two years.

(j)

(1)

(A) Each qualified organization shall use at least 80 percent of the funds received by it from qualified contributions to make qualified expenditures. Each qualified organization shall maintain accurate and current records of all expenditures of such funds and provide such records to the commissioner upon his or her request. In no event shall a qualified organization retain for its own use or apply to its overhead or administrative expenses more than 20 percent of the funds received pursuant to this Code section.

(B) No foster child support organization that meets only the definition of such term as provided in division (a)(4)(C)(ii) of this Code section shall retain more than 2.5 percent of qualified contributions for itself for any reason and shall only serve to pass all of its qualified contributions to one or more qualified organizations that are foster child support organizations as such term is defined in subparagraphs (a)(4)(A), (a)(4)(B), or division (a)(4)(C)(i) of this Code section.

(2) A qualified organization that fails to comply with any of the requirements under this Code section shall be given written notice by the department of such failure to comply by certified mail and shall have 90 days from the receipt of such notice to correct all deficiencies.

(3) Upon failure to correct all deficiencies within 90 days, the department shall revoke the foster child support organization’s status as a qualified organization and such entity shall be immediately removed from the department’s list of organizations. All applications for preapproval of tax credits for contributions to such foster child support organization under this Code section made on or after the date of such removal shall be rejected.

(4) Each foster child support organization that has had its status revoked and has been delisted pursuant to this Code section, shall immediately cease all expenditures of funds received relative to this Code section, and shall transfer all of such funds that are not yet expended, to a properly operating qualified organization within 30 calendar days of its removal from the department’s list of qualified organizations.

(k)

(1) No credit shall be allowed under this Code section to a taxpayer for any amount of qualified contributions that were utilized as deductions or exemptions from taxable income.

(2) In no event shall the total amount of the tax credit used under this Code section for a taxable year exceed the taxpayer’s income tax liability or the business enterprise’s state tax liability owed pursuant to Code Section 33-8-4. Any unused tax credit shall be allowed the taxpayer or business enterprise against the succeeding three years’ tax liability. No such credit shall be allowed the taxpayer or business enterprise against prior years’ tax liability.

(l) The chairperson of the House Appropriations Committee and the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Appropriations shall have the authority to request an audit concerning this Code section as a whole or of any one or more qualified organizations. The commissioner, the state auditor, each qualified organization, each aging-out program, and the director of the division shall cooperate to the full extent necessary to conduct such audits.

(m) At the discretion of the commissioner or the director of the division, any suspected misuse of funds contributed or expended pursuant to this Code section shall be forwarded to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution.

(n) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and administer the provisions of this Code section.