The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), a unit of the Georgia Department of Human Services, recently began accepting applications from eligible Foster Child Support Organizations to qualify to receive tax-creditable contributions as provided for through House Bill 424, known as the “Fostering Success Act.” Carried in the Georgia House of Representatives by Rep. Marcus Wiedower (R – Watkinsville) and by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R – Athens) in the Senate, House Bill 424 served as one of Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan’s legislative priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session.

Lt. Governor Duncan’s “Fostering Success Act” establishes a tax credit for contributions to a qualified Foster Child Support Organization that can be used towards education, mentoring, and wraparound services for aging out foster youth. In order to qualify, Foster Child Support Organizations must apply to DFCS for certification and comply with annual filing requirements set by the Department of Revenue.

“Every year, hundreds of young Georgians age out of foster care with limited direction on how to navigate many of the challenges presented by adulthood. Young adults often experience a rocky start on top of what is often an already challenging childhood. This is why it is imperative that our work should not stop once a foster child reaches the age of 18,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “With the help of these tax credits, more young adults will be given chances to transition into a successful adulthood and I strongly encourage any eligible Foster Child Support Organization to take advantage of this great opportunity. I am appreciative of the work of the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Brian Kemp in getting this legislation across the finish line.”

“With the opening of these applications, qualified Foster Child Support Organizations will have the ability to receive more resources to help support young adults that are transitioning from foster care into adulthood,” said Sen. Cowsert. “The safety and stability of young Georgians should always be a priority and I am proud to have carried this effort in the Senate. I want to thank the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, Governor Brian Kemp, and the General Assembly for their hard work and dedication to support these young people. It is my hope that these tax credits will incentivize people to provide contributions to this worthy cause.”

“The credits provided by the Fostering Success Act are a great way to give individual taxpayers and corporate taxpayers the ability to have a direct, positive impact on the lives of aging out foster youth,” said Rep. Wiedower. “What these programs do is make sure education and stability is available for these young adults as they take on the challenges of adulthood. I was proud to carry this bill in the Georgia House of Representatives, and appreciate Lt. Governor Duncan, House Speaker Ralston, and Governor Kemp’s leadership in supporting Georgia’s foster children.”

The Fostering Success Act allows taxpayers to contribute annually up to $2,500 for those filing single, up to $5,000 married filing jointly or if a member of a certain type of corporate entity, and, if a corporation, up to 10 percent of its state income tax liability. The overall program is capped at $20 million per year, and the use of these contributions are limited to qualified expenditures related to an aging out foster youth’s education, mentoring, housing, medical, nutrition, and personal necessities.

The application to qualify as a Foster Child Support Organization can be found here and annual filing requirements for Qualified Foster Child Support Organizations can be found here.