Caps Lifted On Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program
June 21, 2019—It’s not very often that taxpayers can specify
exactly how they want their state tax dollars used. But that’s exactly what the
Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program offers. Georgia taxpayers can earn a 100 percent tax credit by redirecting
their tax liabilities to rural hospitals, including the
Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus.
In recent years, many of Georgia’s rural hospitals have faced financial
challenges and, since 2010, seven rural hospitals have permanently closed.
The Georgia General Assembly enacted the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit
program to encourage taxpayers throughout Georgia to learn more about
the challenges rural hospitals face and to provide an incentive for those
taxpayers who wish to redirect their Georgia income tax liability to help
improve those hospitals’ financial condition and patient offerings.
The bill offers a rare state income tax credit to Georgia taxpayers and
C-Corporations that donate funds through the program to those rural hospital
systems that qualify. The Health System’s Camden Campus qualifies
for this exciting program and has partnered with
Georgia HEART (Helping Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) to implement the program for
its Camden Campus.
“Everyone in our community benefits from having access to health
care. The Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program is a wonderful opportunity
for our community to dramatically improve the outlook for local health
care without a significant impact on their finances,” says Michael
D. Scherneck, president & CEO, Southeast Georgia Health System.
“The Health System is able to use the contributions for vital services
and programs that benefit the communities we serve, including new surgical
equipment, physician recruitment, community health programs and screenings.
It’s truly a win-win for everyone,” added Scherneck.
The
Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program makes $60 million of income tax credits available to Georgia taxpayers,
with each qualified rural hospital having access to a maximum of $4 million
of tax credits, until the total annual $60 million cap is met.
Individuals earn a 100 percent tax credit for their contributions. During
the first six months of the year, limits were placed on how much individuals
could donate. However, the caps have now been lifted and individuals can
donate up to their maximum state tax liability as long as the $60 million
annual statewide cap has not been met.
“Now that the limitations have been removed, we encourage donors
to look into this opportunity and complete the application process, which
only takes a few minutes, as soon as possible before the cap has been
met,” says Scherneck.
For more information on the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program,
visit sghs.org/ga-tax-credit or the Georgia HEART website at
www.georgiaheart.org.