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TAXPAYERS, LOWER YOUR TAXES AND SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS!
 
TAX CREDIT: HOW DOES IT WORK?

A Tax Credit, which is the dollar-for dollar reduction of your tax liability, is better than a tax deduction, which only reduces your taxable income before taxes are computed.

Instead of sending all your state taxes to the State of Arizona, you can make a contribution to a public school. A.R.S. §43-1089.01 allows taxpayers a TAX CREDIT  up to $200.00 for “Single” or “Head of Household” tax filers and up to $400.00 for “Married Couple Filing a Joint Return” when contributing to EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES in public schools. This gives you the opportunity to help your local school. The tax credit is available to all taxpayers, regardless of whether they have children in school. It would be advisable to consult your tax advisor regarding your specific tax status.

What is an EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY?

Extracurricular activity means any optional, non-credit educational or competitive school sponsored activity that supplements the education program of the school. Activities such as sports, visual and performing arts, field trips, outdoor education or character education programs can be funded with tax credit money. Extracurricular activities do not include any events that are recreational, amusement or tourist activities.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
You may select which school and which program you would like to support. The amount of the tax credit you take does not have to be for the total allowance. You can make a difference in our schools with just $50.00, $75.00, or $100.00. In addition, the credit may be split between one or more schools and/or one or more programs. 

HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX CREDIT? UPDATE

Complete the attached form and return to the school of your choice by April 15, 2020 or mail to the District Office prior to April 15, 2020 in order to take it off your State of Arizona taxes at the time you file for 2019. Arizona Tax Credit Donation Form
Create an online payment by going to this link  

It is easy! The District will provide you with a receipt verifying that you have contributed to an eligible extracurricular activity.

For more information contact Wendy Taylor at the District Office, 623-535-6000.

When you provide a check as payment, you authorize the Litchfield Elementary School District (LESD) either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction

Business Services

Laptop on table with wireless mouse, coffee mug, notebook, pens

The Business Services Department provides fiscal management, business, and operational support for the Litchfield Elementary School District.

Litchfield Elementary School District's Business Services Department oversees all of the District's fiduciary and procurement responsibilities, including:

  • Accounts Payable
  • Budget Preparation and Oversight
  • Payroll
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Extracurricular Tax Credit
  • Purchasing
  • Student Activities

Our office develops the annual operating budget, along with other essential financial documents and services. The proposed budget is presented annually by July 5th for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1-June 30), and must be adopted and submitted to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) by July 15th. The budget may be revised several times during the fiscal year. After the fiscal year ends, the Annual Financial Report must be submitted to ADE by October 15th. An Audited Annual Financial Report is prepared annually by an independent auditing company. The Classroom Spending Report is created by the Auditor General's Office in March for the previous fiscal year. To access any of these financial reports, click on the links below.

Budget Timeline

  • Recommendation - Approval of the Proposed Budget
    • Governing Board Meeting June 25, 2024

    • The proposed expenditure budget is presented to the Governing Board prior to the start of the fiscal year. General budget limits, state equalization and tax rates are established for the upcoming year for all funds. The proposed budget is made available to the public for review prior to adoption.

  • Publish the Public Hearing Notice
    • Published June 19, 2024 in the West Valley View newspaper
  • Publish the Proposed Budget on the ADE Website / District Website
    • Published June 26, 2024
  • Recommendation – Adoption of the FY 2024 - 2025 Budget
    • Governing Board Meeting, July 9, 2024
    • The proposed expenditure budget is presented to the Governing Board for adoption. General budget limits, state equalization and tax rates are established for the upcoming year for all funds. The adopted budget is required to be submitted to the Arizona Department of Education before July 15th of each year.
  • Revise the Budget prior to the September 15th due date.
    • Once Final Budget Forms are issued, Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 15-905(Q) allows districts to revise their budgets by September 15th for changes in law that impact budget calculations in their Adopted Budget.

FINANCE REPORTS

All financial reports are available online. To view reports, visit the Arizona Department of Education School Finance web page.

The Litchfield Elementary School District is statutorily required to publish a proposed budget prior to holding a public hearing and meeting to adopt the budget. These documents may be viewed below:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Michael J Vaughn
623-535-6017

Executive Director of Operations
Erik Stone
623-535-6006

Director of Finance
Brittany Carter
623-535-6019

Director of Purchasing
Tami Garrett
623-547-1528

Executive Administrative Assistant
Amy Potapoff
623-535-6017