By parishioner, Laura Silva

The recent and additional expected increase in food insecurity nationwide seems overwhelming. But a resource that all Arizona state income tax payers have for helping is the Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO) tax credit.

Since it is a tax credit, the tax payer simply makes a donation to the QCO, and then the Arizona state income tax due is reduced by the same amount dollar for dollar. There is no additional cost to the tax payer.

It is estimated that only around 5-7 percent of Arizona tax-payers took advantage of this tax credit in 2024.

It has been my habit to make the maximum AZ state QCO tax credit for my filing status every year by donating to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (one of many QCOs) by year end. With the increased and urgent need this year, I made this donation already to get ahead of the possible ending of SNAP benefits on November 1.

For the 2025 tax year, the maximum credit amounts are $495.00 for single, married filing separately, or head of household and $987.00 for married filing jointly.

Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona can provide food that translates to about three meals for every $1.00 donation. So, a $987.00 donation would represent 2,961 meals.

Just two families maxing out their donation would cover the multitude of 5,000, although we need more than five loaves and two fish. A few more percent of tax payers doing this would be amazing.

Saint Philip’s in the Hills has a relationship with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. There are many other QCOs that you can support. There are also multiple additional AZ charitable tax credit categories separate from QCOs that can be supported in addition to QCO, with the tax credits being additive.

Saint Philip’s also has relationships with Saint Michael’s & All Angels School and Imago Dei School, both of which can receive funds via School Tuition Organizations (STOs) which are also funded via AZ state income tax credits.

I would encourage all AZ tax payers to flex their state income tax toward a worthy charity.