Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship

The preferred scholarship granting organizations (SGOs), Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders Fund, are responsible for processing donations from individuals and corporations. To reserve a tax credit and make a donation to support Catholic education, visit Empower Illinois or Big Shoulders Fund. 

• Donors must establish an account through MyTax Illinois before they can apply for the tax credits. Note: The registration process, which can take up to 10 business days, must be completed before tax credits can be reserved. Those interested in applying for the credits are encouraged to create a MyTax Illinois account as soon as possible.

• The tax credit application is available through MyTax Illinois at tax.illinois.gov.

• Tax credits will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis. Approval is automatic as long as the regional and statewide thresholds have not been met.

• Once a tax credit application is approved, donors will be issued a Contribution Authorization Certificate that must be submitted, along with the donation, to the SGO within 60 days. An option to designate the donation to a school or subset of schools (including Marian Catholic) will be available when the donation is made to the Scholarship Granting Organization.

• Donors will receive a certificate of receipt from the SGO within 30 days of the donation. The SGO will also notify the Department of Revenue that a donation was made.

• If a donor reserves a credit and does not donate or, gives less than the amount they indicated to the Illinois Department of Revenue, they forfeit their tax credit.

• Donors cannot take a federal tax deduction for donations associated with the Invest in Kids Act.

• Credits are non-refundable, but can be carried forward for five years. The Invest in Kids Act will automatically be repealed effective January 1, 2024, if the Illinois legislature does not extend the program.