EITC/OSTC
What is EITC/OSTC?
The EITC and OSTC programs in Pennsylvania allow businesses and owners of pass through
entities (partnerships, LLC’s and Subchapter S Corporations) or individuals who participate in a
Special Purpose Entity to direct a certain portion of their corporate or personal income tax
dollars to certain scholarship organizations, including those of not-for-profit schools and certain
other not-for-profit organizations, that have applied for and are entities approved by the PA
Department of Community and Economic Development for this program, (a list of qualified
organizations is posted on the DCED website).
EITC and OSTC programs allow businesses and pass through entity owners, that have a tax liability to Pennsylvania, to provide scholarship support for low/middle income students and, in the process, these businesses, their owners or individuals realize a significant tax benefit. When making a two year commitment, a business or individual can claim a 90% tax credit against their Pennsylvania income tax or those other Pennsylvania taxes listed below. This program allows businesses and individuals to have some control over where a portion of their Pennsylvania taxes are directed.
Schools serve students who directly benefit from EITC and OSTC funds. EITC and OSTC funds
can be directed to the scholarship programs at a qualified school or institution. Need-based
scholarships are awarded to eligible students, including students with a disability who are a
member of a household that meets a certain income threshold as defined by the Commonwealth and, in the case of OSTC funds, belong to a home school (geographic location) that is considered poor performing.
The following Pennsylvania taxes are eligible for credit:
• Personal Income Tax (must be secured through a pass-through entity or a Special Purpose
Entity)
• Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
• Corporate Net Income Tax
• Bank Shares Tax
• Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax
• Insurance Premium Tax (excluding surplus lines, unauthorized, domestic/foreign marine)
• Mutual Thrift Tax
• Malt Beverage Tax
• Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the Insurance Company Law of 1921
A one-year commitment through the EITC/OSTC Program allows for a 75% tax credit; a 2-year
commitment provides a 90% credit. The maximum business contribution in one calendar year is
$750,000. Typically EITC and OSTC funds are exhausted on July 1. Renewing businesses,
businesses who have been approved in the immediate preceding cycle or those that are in
their second year of renewal, who wish to continue their participation, may apply on May 15th
How to participate:
You can facilitate your participation through Friends of Education, LLC, an organization known as a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) that has applied for credits and has a partnership with Center School, or you can apply to participate using the information below:
1. Apply online via the link on the DCED Application page. Register for a login if you don’t
already have one, and then complete the online application for either the EITC or OSTC
program. Please note: You will be asked to select either EITC or OSTC in this application, and,
in addition, if your first choice is unavailable, whether you would like to apply for the other
program. Please answer YES to this question. There is virtually no difference from the
business perspective. Center School qualifies for both programs. Click here for the business
online application guide.
2. Upon receipt of your approval letter from the DCED, you have 60 calendar days from the
date of that letter to make a contribution.
3. An acknowledgment will be sent upon the receipt of your check. Simply mail a copy of the e
acknowledgment to the PA Department of Revenue within 90 days of the date of your approval
letter.