Children's Promise Act

What is the Children's Promise Act?

The Children’s Promise Act is legislation initially passed during the 2018 Mississippi legislative session allowing businesses to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for up to 50% of their state tax liability or 50% of ad valorem tax liability on real property. The business receives this tax credit by making a voluntary contribution to an approved nonprofit entity. There is a statewide cap on the amount that will be approved by the Department of Revenue so the program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis starting each January. For 2024, the statewide cap for nonprofits like ours is $9,000,000, with each entity being able to receive up to 5% of that total ($450,000). Once the statewide cap is reached, no more applications will be approved for the remainder of the calendar year. Each year, this cap is reached within minutes of the New Year.

Please review the information below to learn more about taking advantage of this program.

*Information provided on this page is not tax advice. Please consult a tax professional regarding your specific tax situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can accept qualified contributions?

In order to receive donations using this program, a school must qualify as an Educational Services Charitable Organization (ESCO). Each ESCO must be a 501c3 charitable organization that has sought the ESCO designation and been approved for that designation by the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Hope Academy has sought and received approval as a designated ESCO by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and a copy of our approval letter is available upon request.

Who can make contributions?

The tax credit is only available to a taxpayer who is a business enterprise engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities and operating as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Taxpayers may utilize the credit against income tax, insurance premium tax, and insurance premium retaliatory tax. Taxpayers, not operating as a corporation, may also utilize the credit against ad valorem taxes on real property.

How much tax credit can be given?

Business taxpayers may donate and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for up to 50% of a taxpayer’s Mississippi State tax liability or 50% of ad valorem tax liability on real property. This tax credit for a charitable contribution can only be claimed on the Mississippi state tax return or as a credit applied against the ad valorem tax liability at a county tax office. If the donation exceeds 50% of the business’s tax liability, Charitable Tax Credit dollars may be carried forward for up to five years, reducing future tax liability.

If you are interested in donating to Hope Academy through this Tax Credit, please email the Hope Academy finance office at financeoffice@hopeacademyfg.org

Hope Academy would be more than happy to submit the forms on behalf of any businesses interested in contributing through this program.
Once submitted, the Mississippi Department of Revenue will respond with an approval or denial letter to the business (during the month of January or later if additional funding becomes available).
If the Mississippi Department of Revenue approves an application, the taxpayer must make the contribution and send the verification of the contribution to the Mississippi Department of Revenue within sixty (60) days from the date the approval was granted.
If the contribution is not made within sixty (60) days, the tax credit allocation will be canceled by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and those funds will be available for other applicants to use.