What is GOAL?
Christ the King School participates in the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program, also known as Georgia GOAL. In our first year participating with GOAL, the overwhelming success of the GOAL program speaks volumes about its importance. This year 28 students attend CKS using these taxpayer funds. Demand surpasses the allocated cap of $120 million within the first business day of the year leading to proration of all applications, as witnessed in 2024 when applicants received only 63% of their requested amount due to oversubscription. We anticipate a similar scenario for 2025. Think of it as prepaying taxes you already owe to the state and giving them to CKS.
Why should I participate?
Each year, the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program, combined with support from Christ the King School’s scholarships and the CKS Fund, plays a critical role in CKS’s overall financial aid program. Your participation allows CKS to enroll the most highly qualified applicants regardless of financial circumstances. Participation in GOAL, therefore, is not related to participation in Christ the King School’s CKS Fund.
How do I apply?
To secure your 2025 GOAL tax credit, you must submit your application before the end of 2024. Apply today by visiting www.goalscholarship.org. GOAL will handle all remaining steps in the process until your contribution is due in mid-March 2025, within 60 days following approval by the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Christ the King School participates in the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program, also known as Georgia GOAL. In our first year participating with GOAL, the overwhelming success of the GOAL program speaks volumes about its importance. This year 28 students attend CKS using these taxpayer funds. Demand surpasses the allocated cap of $120 million within the first business day of the year leading to proration of all applications, as witnessed in 2024 when applicants received only 63% of their requested amount due to oversubscription. We anticipate a similar scenario for 2025. Think of it as prepaying taxes you already owe to the state and giving them to CKS.
Why should I participate?
Each year, the Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program, combined with support from Christ the King School’s scholarships and the CKS Fund, plays a critical role in CKS’s overall financial aid program. Your participation allows CKS to enroll the most highly qualified applicants regardless of financial circumstances. Participation in GOAL, therefore, is not related to participation in Christ the King School’s CKS Fund.
How do I apply?
To secure your 2025 GOAL tax credit, you must submit your application before the end of 2024. Apply today by visiting www.goalscholarship.org. GOAL will handle all remaining steps in the process until your contribution is due in mid-March 2025, within 60 days following approval by the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Contribution Limits Based upon Taxpayer Filing Status are as follows:
Tax Credit FAQs
When and why was the Georgia Private School Tax program established?
The Georgia Private School Tax Credit law was passed in 2008 to make financial aid available to eligible students seeking an independent-school education. The law established a tax credit for Georgia taxpayers in exchange for support of independent-school financial aid. The law put into place Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs) that receive applications for the tax credit, collect payments, and process disbursement of funds to schools. Participants in the program apply to the SSO for the credit and specify the Georgia independent school(s) to receive their contribution. The state legislature capped initial funding for the program at $50 million but has periodically raised the cap, setting it at $120 million in 2023 while also increasing taxpayer contribution limits.
How does it work?
CKS has partnered with Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc., a state approved Student Scholarship Organization (SSO), to enable the CKS Community to take advantage of this program. With a donation to GOAL, a Georgia state income tax credit is available to you for the tax year the donation is made. Your donation can be used as a charitable contribution deduction on your federal tax return.
How can this tax credit benefit both me and Christ the King School?
Under the law, you can redirect a portion of your Georgia income tax liability to provide financial aid to CKS students. You will receive a tax credit on your state income taxes and a charitable contribution deduction on your federal income taxes for the amount donated. Please see chart above to view limits depending on your filing status. Please note that a contribution to GOAL, designated to CKS, cannot be counted as a gift to the CKS Fund. However, CKS recognizes tax credit participants in our Annual Report. We encourage you to also support the CKS Fund to help the school meet its other annual operating needs.
How does CKS determine distribution of tax credit financial aid?
In accordance with the tax credit law, CKS uses Georgia tax-credit funds to provide financial aid to new students enrolling in Kindergarten, Pre-First, or First Grade, or transferring to CKS in any grade from a public school. Families apply for financial assistance and awards are made for demonstrated need only. Tax credit dollars are allocated for the duration of a student’s enrollment at CKS so long as their family reapplies and demonstrates need each year.
