Support

RaiseRight is a fundraising program, which allows you to purchase gift cards from the program, and you and Shalom receive rebate on the purchase. This program allows you to purchase gift cards from over 750 top brands and then it donates a portion of those proceeds to Shalom. Click here if you would like to watch a video with more information about this program. 

Shalom has decided to split the profits with the families 50/50. This is a great way to help offset your tuition cost and to also support Shalom designated projects. Learn more here. 

Shalom holds fundraising events throughout the year including Class Fundraisers, the Golf Tournament, The Great Pie Sale, and the Race for Education. 

To become a sponsor, please contact Business Manager Jeryl Hoover at Shalom Christian Academy at jhoover@shalomca.com or 717-375-2223.  

Annual funds are given on a yearly basis to help support the Shalom Christian Academy budget. This goes to helping the overall budget of our school. 

Before scholarships are awarded, every student at Shalom pays only 72% of what it actually costs to provide a student's education. We do this to help keep tuition affordable. Our Fair Share gives parents who are able an opportunity to give above and beyond to an amount they feel is fair based on their circumstances. Our faculty and staff are committed to Shalom and believe in our mission and work for salaries less than their peers in the public school system. We are thankful that our community gives in many ways to bridge the gap. 

Q. What is a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) as it pertains to Pennsylvania education tax credits? 
Special Purpose Entity is a new class of pass-through partnerships that exist solely for the purpose of obtaining Education Improvement Credits (EITC/OSTC). 

Q. What Special Purpose Entity has Shalom Christian Academy chosen to associate with?
Shalom is associating with the Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund (a Pennsylvania approved scholarship organization) and the special purpose entities Central PA AMT Partners and Kehr Partnership. 

Q. When was the Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund formed? When were related SPEs established?
Randy Tarpey, a Certified Public Accountant, established the Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund on September 13, 2011. With the amendment to Article XVII-F of the Tax Reform Code through Act 194, effective October 31, 2014, the EITC/OSTC definition of “business firm” and “pass-through entity” was expanded to allow for the use of credits on joint and personal income tax returns. As such, Randy established the Central Pennsylvania Special Purpose Entity on August 7, 2015.

Q. Why did Randy Tarpey create the Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund? 
With a passion to help more children in Pennsylvania receive a quality, private school education, Randy Tarpey established the Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund. This vehicle for giving allows individuals not qualified to receive credits directly from Pennsylvania an opportunity to receive the same tax benefit. 

Q. Who can receive education credits through the SPE? 
The Special Purpose Entity, at present, offers membership to individuals/couples with a minimum PA tax liability of $3500 annually. 

Q. If I participate in these tax credits, how much will it cost me? 
Upfront, during the fall months, you will need to make either a minimum donation of $3500, or larger if you choose, up to the amount of your annual state taxes.  You risk the chance of losing your credit if you choose an amount over your tax liability.  When you file your taxes in the spring you will receive a refund of 90% of your donation from Pennsylvania and a federal benefit based on your donation. 

Q. Do I need to earn a particular income to qualify? 
This is based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. An individual or couple filing jointly must have a state tax liability of $3,500 or more to participate. To see if you may qualify for 2018, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your most recent tax return. 

Q. Can these credits be used on both individual and joint income tax returns? 
Yes, you qualify if your individual or combined PA tax liability is $3,500 or more. 

Q. Where do I obtain an application/joinder? 
Applications are available by contacting Jeryl Hoover, Shalom Business Manager, at 717-375-2223. Or stop by our office at Shalom Christian Academy at:
126 Social Island Road
Chambersburg, PA 17202
717-375-2223

Q. When and where do I submit my application/joinder? 
Tax credits will be distributed on a first come first served basis until the tax credits which have been awarded to all SPE’s by the Department of Community and Economic Development are depleted. 
Email or mail your application to Jeryl Hoover, jhoover@shalomca.com, or
Shalom Christian Academy 
126 Social Island Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202            
 
Q. Do I reapply each year to the SPE? 
Each year you are asked to reinvest. If you fail to do so, your membership is terminated. 

Q. How do I indicate the school that is to receive my contribution? 
On your application form note school of your choice in the space designated for Name of School, and indicate the tax credit amount for which you are applying in the place designated Amount $. 

Q. When will I receive documents to file with my income taxes? 
Your Federal and State K-1 forms will arrive in February, 2020. The Federal K-1 will list your investment and Federal charitable contribution, which you deduct on Schedule A if you itemize. Your PA K- 1 will list your 90% PA tax credit, which will go on Payment line 23 OC for Other Credit on your PA-40. 

Q. What percentage of my contribution goes to the school of my choice?
100% of your contribution goes to the school of your choice for scholarship purposes.  No portion of your donation is used for administrative purposes. 

Are you a business owner? The state-operated  Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program awards tax credits to eligible businesses that make a contribution to an approved scholarship program (such as Shalom Christian Academy). These funds are then distributed in the form of scholarships to income-qualifying students.

How much tax credit can my business receive through a tax credit contribution? The credit is 75 percent against taxed owed if the contribution is made in a single year. If a company provides a two-year commitment of equal funding, the credit rises to 90 percent. Existing charitable deductions may also apply.

How do I know if my business is eligible? Any business authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of PA and pays any of the following taxes: personal income tax of S-corp shareholders or partnership partners, corporate net income tax, capital stock/foreign franchise tax, bank shares tax, title insurance & trust company shares tax, insurance premiums tax, mutual thrift tax, malt beverage tax, retaliatory fees under section 212 of the insurance company law of 1912.

For more information or to see if your business will qualify, call Shalom’s Business Manager Jeryl Hoover at (717) 375-2223. Additional details can be found here –
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc/
 

Check with your employer to see if they will match your charitable gift to Shalom. You could increase your gift dollar-for-dollar if your employer supports charitable donations.
 

Make a long-term commitment to future students of Shalom through an endowment. An endowment grows principal and generates income. The principal of the endowment is invested in perpetuity, and only a portion of the investment’s earnings is used to benefit the academy. Because the remainder of the earnings are directed back to the fund, the endowment grows over time.

You can lower the taxes on your retirement withdrawals by making a gift to support a charitable nonprofit organization. 

529 plans can be used for private elementary and high school tuition. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in December 2017, allows families to use 529 plans to pay for up to $10,000 in tuition expenses at elementary or secondary public, private or parochial schools. Please check with your accountant to see if this is an option for you or your family.