why not designate that money for Lake Center Christian School?

You may do so! In that case, the first $750 will be granted a $750 state tax credit, and the amount of the gift beyond the initial $750 may be claimed as a federal and state tax deduction. Consult with your tax specialist to review your specific tax situation. In the meantime, find more information at: www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions.

Your OCEN SGO donation can be claimed when you file your Ohio taxes for the year in which you make your gift. The credit is a dollar-to-dollar reduction in your state tax liability up to $750 per taxpayer. A married couple filing jointly can make two gifts and claim a credit of up to $1500. To receive the full tax credit, you must have an Ohio tax liability equal to or greater than the amount of the credit. 

OCEN will announce award recipients on July 15, 2022 for the 2022-2023 launch school year. These awards will go to the students’ accounts at their schools by the beginning of the fall term.

OCEN will accept donations year-round. For your donation to apply for the 2022-2023 school year, please donate by June 1, 2022. Any donations received after this date will fund scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year.

Yes, you may select at which participating school you would like your gift to fund a scholarship. If you do not have a preference, simply leave the drop-down box empty and your gift will go into the unrestricted fund to provide scholarships to worthy students at any of our participating schools.

Yes, you may. However, you will need to submit it as multiple gifts, designating a different school for each separate gift.

Yes. The tax credit is on a per-individual taxpayer basis. Married couples can receive up to two separate $750-deductions, totaling $1,500. To receive the maximum credit, spouses must make TWO SEPARATE $750 donations, one in each of their names. A single $1,500 will only return a single $750 tax credit.

Yes, OCEN SGO is certified by the Ohio Attorney General. You may view the list of certified SGOs here.

Anyone whose taxable income is over $44,250 owes a minimum of $878.42 in state tax. A $750 donation to an SGO would reduce this amount to $128.42. That means $750 of tax money to a scholarship to help a student receive a quality Christian education and $128.42 remains for the state. You can use the chart below from Ohio Department of Taxation to determine your tax liability if you know your Ohio Taxable Income amount.

Taxable state income can be found on page 2 of your state income tax return (Ohio IT 1040) line 13.

For taxable years beginning in 2021:

House Bill 110 was passed September 2021
Section 5747.73 | Credit for donations to scholarship organizations
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5747.73

Without membership in OCEN, Lake Center would not be eligible to receive scholarship dollars from this Ohio tax reduction credit. Only organizations that have completed the process to become a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) can receive donations and issue a credit for the tax credit contribution. Lake Center is not a qualified SGO, nor do we have staff capacity to manage this program.

To expand scholarship resources for our students, Lake Center’s Board of Directors approved our school to join as a member of the Ohio Christian Education Network. Among the benefits is the ability to receive scholarship dollars designated for Lake Center Christian School, as well as a portion of the general donations to the program.

OCEN supports Lake Center ability to participate in the SGO program through: 1) a developed system and oversight Board of Directors to receive donations and tracking school designated funds that meet state requirements; 2) issuing proper receipt per Ohio law; 3) creation of print and digital marketing materials; 4) access to attorneys and management team well versed in application of the House Bill 3110; 5) receipt and
scoring of scholarship applications from Lake Center students, 6) distribution of scholarship awards to LCCS.

For this service a 9% administration fee is charged on each donation. This is a nominal fee and Lake Center benefits from OCEN’s management of Lake Center’s account and scholarship applications, as well as advocating for expansion of the program contribution levels at the State level, and keeping Lake Center Administration apprised of policies changes that can help/hinder school choice and religious freedom in education to promote a biblical worldview.

1. The Ohio Christian Education Network (OCEN) will send an email thank you upon your donation.
2. OCEN will designate funds donated on behalf of Lake Center to our school account – not specific students.
3. OCEN provides monthly and on request reports of donations designated to Lake Center Christian School to school admin.
4. In January, OCEN will also send a tax receipt to file for the tax credit reduction. Up to $750 per individual (married couples filing jointly, $1500 total if made as separate checks).