Tax returns may gain school-donation box

Taxpayers may soon be given the chance to donate money toward the Uniform School Fund.

Sen. David Thomas, R-South Weber, is sponsoring SB109, which would allow for a fifth check-off box on tax returns. The bill Wednesday made it through the Senate Education Standing Committee.

All state income tax goes in the Uniform School Fund, which finances public education. By checking the proposed box, taxpayers could donate $1 or more toward the fund, as well. Individual school district foundations already can generate funds this way when taxpayers identify on their income tax form which nonprofit organization they would like to donate to.

Such a box, however, did not work for higher education and it was eventually removed from tax forms. If a check-off box generates less than $30,000 a year for three consecutive years, according to state law, the designation is removed from tax returns.

Considered a pilot program, the box for the Uniform School Fund would also get three years to prove its worth. The bill now heads to the Senate.