Kathleen Duncan, aka Tia Katy, at the DIF Amores de Peñasco children’s crisis shelter here in Puerto Peñasco and whose marvelous volunteer work we’ve written about on numerous occasions (click TiaKaty for the latest one) has come up with another creative way to make 
donations to support these abandoned and abused kids, and this one doesn’t cost Arizona residents anything!
She recently shared this information with her list of supporters of Amores de Peñasco, and we think it’s worthwhile to share with all our subscribers since, even though you may not be an Arizona resident, there’s a good chance you know someone who is.
One of Kathleen’s major goals was to make donations to Amores de Peñasco eligible for 
tax deductible donations from the U.S. She was able to accomplish that goal earlier this year by having Amores de Peñasco become an official part of Steps of Love, a 501c3 non-profit organization originally founded to help support a small orphanage in Sonoita, Sonora, Mexico. They now help support Amores de Peñasco as well.
It didn’t take the passionate Kathleen long to work out a win-win fundraising opportunity with the tax-deductible status. Here is her recent announcement about a way Arizona residents can help her kids without costing them anything.
Read her explanation of this unique opportunity along with her Frequently Asked Questions Sheet and fill out the simple Sponsor Form. You couldn’t be doing this for a more deserving cause—saving the children!
Hola Friends of Amores de Penasco,
I wanted to let you know about an opportunity for Arizona residents to make a donation to support Amores de Peñasco without costing them anything! Although I know that many of you don’t live in AZ and so do not pay AZ State taxes, I also know that you probably still have a lot of friends and 
family living in AZ who do pay taxes here:) So, I am hoping you all can help me spread the word about this!
1) I have entered a ‘Steps of Love’ team in the North Phoenix Kiwanis Club’s 22nd Annual Walk-a-Thon, which will be held at Metro Center Mall the morning of October 18th.
2) Because the North Phoenix Kiwanis Foundation is qualified as an AZ Charitable Tax Credit organization, donations of up to $200 for individuals and $400 for those who file jointly get a dollar for dollar tax credit. So, donors essentially get their donation back when they file their taxes (their State Tax bill is reduced by the entire amount of their donation)
3) After the event, the Kiwanis Club makes a donation to the shelter equal to 70% of all the tax credit donations that our team brings in for the walk-a-thon. The other 30% of each donation remains with the Kiwanis Club’s Charity which helps support kids from low income families in the Washington School District.
Although this works the same as the AZ private and public school tax credit donations that many people are familiar with, it is another, completely separate tax credit opportunity and they can do it in addition to the school tax credits. There is no limit to how many tax credit donations we can bring in for the walk-a-thon and so this is a great way to try to raise some much needed money for the shelter!
So, if you do pay AZ taxes and have not already made your maximum AZ Charitable Tax Credit donation for 2014 I would really appreciate your considering making a donation of either $200 or $400 to the North Phoenix Kiwanis Foundation Club rather than sending that same amount to the AZ Department of Revenue this year. And whether or not you live in AZ, I would really appreciate you all sharing this information with your AZ friends and family and anyone else who may be interested in choosing where at least a little of the their 2014 State Tax money goes. 🙂
Thanks so much for any support/assistance you can provide!
Hasta Luego,
Kathleen
________________________________________________________________________________________________
FAQ Sheet:
How would you like to support Amores de Peñasco through ‘Steps of Love’
to help children in need without it costing you a thing!?
By sponsoring our team in the North Phoenix Kiwanis Club’s 22nd Annual Walk-a-than on October 18th you can do just that! This Kiwanis Club’s Foundation is a qualified “working poor” charitable organization in Arizona. So, when you sponsor our team by making a donation to their Foundation you will receive a direct credit (not a deduction) to your Arizona State Income tax at the time you file your taxes.
(NOTE: Businesses are not eligible for this tax credit. Sorry.)
Why does the North Phoenix Kiwanis Foundation qualify for the Working Poor Tax Credit?
The qualification is based on their spending at least 50% of their total operating budget on services to Arizona residents who are considered working poor.
How much can I donate?
An individual may donate up to $200 and a couple up to $400 and receive a tax credit against their Arizona State Taxes. That means the amount you donate to the Kiwanis Club is subtracted—dollar for dollar—from your total Arizona State Income Tax bill’ After the event, 30% of the money you donate toward sponsoring our team in this walk-a-than will go to charities that the Kiwanis Club supports and 70% will be
donated by the Kiwanis Club to ‘Steps of Love’ to support the Amores de Peñasco Children’s Crisis Shelter in Rocky Point. So you are able to support two great organizations while deducting your donation amount from your AZ tax bill that you would be paying anyway—costing you nothing!
Do I have to itemize deductions to claim the credit for contributions to Qualifying Charitable Organizations?
No, starting in 2013 even if you do not itemize deductions you are eligible to claim the credit.
What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?
A tax credit is more beneficial than a tax deduction. A tax credit reduces your AZ State Income taxes-dollar for dollar. A tax deduction reduces the taxable income upon which your taxes are calculated.
Can I take the Working Poor Tax Credit if I take the School Tax Credit?
Yes, they are separate credits and you are allowed to take advantage of both.
Please Note: The North Phoenix Kiwanis Club is not a tax advisor. Please contact a qualified tax advisor for advice on your personal tax situation. Also, the Kiwanis Club asks for a minimum sponsorship of $100 in order to receive an official donation letter.
Who can I call if I have further questions?
Please call Kathleen Duncan at 602-376-0148. Email: friendsofamores@gmail.com.
Thanks for your support
SPONSORSHIP FORM
YES, I want to sponsor the Steps of Love team in the 22nd Annual North Phoenix Kiwanis Club walk-a-thon!
Donor’s Name_____________________________________________________
Email address______________________________________________
Donation Amount___________________________________________
Donor’s Mailing Address (for tax receipt for donations of $100 or more)
Street Address______________________________________________
City/State/Zip_____________________________________________
Steps of Love Team Walker’s Name: Kathleen Duncan
Please designate my donation toward:
_______Steps of Love Orphanage in Sonoyta
___X___ Amores de Penasco Children’s Crisis Shelter in Rocky Point
_______Split my donation equally between the two homes
Make checks to: North Phoenix Kiwanis Foundation Inc.
Mail by 10/15/14 to: Steps of Love c/o Kathleen Duncan 20425 W. Thayer St. Buckeye, AZ 85396(Our team will deliver all checks to the Club on the event day)
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