PV Schools finance director explains how Arizona tax‑credit donations support student programs
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Summary
Paradise Valley Unified District Finance Director Connor Hutchinson told the PV Schools podcast that Arizona public school tax‑credit donations are dollar‑for‑dollar reductions on state taxes that let donors direct funds to eligible school programs (extracurriculars, nursing supplies, shade structures, etc.) and that donors can choose the tax year to apply the credit. Visit pvschools.net for the district donation page.
Connor Hutchinson, director of finance for Paradise Valley Unified District, told the district’s PV Schools podcast that Arizona public school tax‑credit donations are “dollar for dollar reductions under your taxes” and let taxpayers direct money to specific eligible school programs.
Hutchinson explained that the credit differs from a standard tax deduction and can have a greater proportional impact on a taxpayer’s liability. “Tax credits… are dollar for dollar reductions under your taxes,” he said, adding that donors can choose which eligible site or program receives the funds.
Why it matters: Tax‑credit donations provide supplemental funding for enrichment outside the state’s core instructional dollars. Hutchinson listed common allowable uses, including extracurricular activities, character‑development programs, some after‑school activities and select field trips, as well as practical site needs such as nursing supplies, shade structures and playground equipment.
Who can give and when: Hutchinson said donors do not have to be parents or district residents. “You can donate to any district,” he said, noting he personally donated to PV while living in a different district. He also explained timing flexibility: donors can choose which tax year to apply a donation (for example, applying it to tax year 2025 or 2026).
How to donate: Hutchinson directed listeners to the district website, saying, “you’ll need to go to the district website, which is pvschools.net, and they’ll have to navigate to our tax credit donation page,” where donors choose a site or program and receive the receipt needed for their state tax return. He said the site will contact donors if a designation is not possible so the donor can amend instructions.
Hutchinson characterized tax‑credit donations as intended for enrichment: “the tax code donations are meant to be that enrichment experience for the students… Those experiences that help make school engaging and well rounded for the students.”
Next steps: For details, PV Schools directs donors to pvschools.net and local school offices for guidance and the tax‑credit receipt necessary for filing state returns.