EITC Program

Offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the EITC program allows businesses to receive significant tax credits when they contribute to qualified educational improvement organizations such as The M.S. Hershey Foundation. Funding from the EITC program allows the Foundation to bring increased educational opportunities to thousands of children every year, thereby continuing its mission to provide educational and cultural enrichment to the residents and visitors of Hershey.

This program only funds innovative educational programs that are pre-approved by the DCED. It does not fund general operating expenses.

The EITC program amends the Pennsylvania Public School Code to authorize tax credits for businesses that make contributions to educational improvement organizations (EIO).

Educational Improvement Organizations (EIOs) are non-profit organizations that have been approved by DCED for participation in the EITC program. To become an EIO, the non-profit must apply to the DCED to show how their programs improve the educational opportunities for children. The M.S. Hershey Foundation has been designated an eligible EIO.

Businesses that pay the following Pennsylvania taxes:

• Corporate Net Income Tax
• Capital Stock Franchise Tax
• Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
• Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax
• Insurance Premiums Tax
• Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax

Your business will receive a 90% tax credit if you sign up for two years in the program and a 75% tax credit if you sign up for one year. Eligible businesses can receive up to $200,000 in tax credits per taxable year. Plus, you are helping support The M.S. Hershey Foundation's educational programs at Hershey Theatre.

The program year is July 1 through June 30. The filing date is July 1 for first year applications and May 15 for year two (renewal) applications. Applications for tax credits are processed until the credits are exhausted; therefore it is important for your business to submit your application on July 1.

The process is simple. Businesses must submit a brief application to the DCED stating what amount they plan to contribute. The DCED will notify businesses if their applications are approved. After receiving approval, businesses have 60 days to make the contribution to an approved Educational Improvement Organization. The business must also send the DCED a copy of the confirmation of contribution from the EIO.