There’s still time for contributions to count in 2017 tax year

By CHRISTOPHER SMITH

With the New Year fast approaching, the 2017 tax year is also coming to an end. Tax-deductible contributions to charities can potentially decrease that tax burden, and it’s the time of year many people make those decisions.

“Year-end donations are potentially even more important this year than in past years, because most taxpayers anticipate that this year’s tax bracket is higher than next year’s will be,” Greg White of White & McClung, LLC said. “So, a donation this year that can be deducted has more value, in that it will generally save you more on taxes than the same deduction next year.

“The rule of thumb, with the new tax law taking effect, is to increase deductions this year, and push income to the next year. So, year-end giving makes sense,” While said.

A deductible contribution by check is considered delivered the day it is mailed. Contributions made by credit card are considered delivered the year of the charge.

There are many good causes in Covington County, and The Star-News has compiled a list with mailing addresses for those who want to take advantage of the opportunity to lessen their tax bills.

 

Food:

• The Full Tummy Project was designed to provide a bag of food on Fridays for young students in Covington County who are at risk of hunger on the weekends. The organization is now serving 270 K-6 students every week. P.O. Box 211, Andalusia, AL 36420.
• St. Vincent De Paul Society, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering and will also provide food and help with utilities. 500 Sanford Rd, Andalusia, AL 36420
• St. Mary’s Rice and Beans provides rice and dried beans and other food staples, to the less fortunate every third Saturday. 1307 East Three Notch Street, Andalusia, AL 36420
• First Presbyterian Love Thy Neighbor provides hot meals two times a month for the hungry. 223 S 3 Notch St, Andalusia, AL 36420
• Covington Baptist Association operates Christian Service Centers, which provides food to the needy each month. 18350 U.S. Highway 84, Andalusia, Alabama 36421. \ • Jo’s Community Dinners provides hot meals delivered to those in need or those who are alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Approximately 400 people were served each day in 2017. P.O. Box 1002, Andalusia, AL 36502.

 

Health:

• Megan Kelley Smiles Foundation is a non-profit that helps young adults from the age of 19 – 25 with non-medical expenses incurred while seeking treatment. P.O. Box 1416, Andalusia, AL 36420
• Meredith’s Miracles’ purpose is to offer non-medical related financial support to families with sick and injured children from this area who need specialized care not available locally. This can include but isn’t limited to transportation, food, and or lodging money. P.O. Box 643, Andalusia, AL 36420.
• Pilots For Christ is a non-profit organization provides non-commercial flights to help those who are sick and need air transportation, and sometimes provides commercial transportation for those who do not require private flights. The organization serves patients in this region, and frequently partners with PowerSouth in the use of its plane. P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, Alabama, 36460

Arts:

• The Lower Alabama Arts Council seeks to enrich the lives of the residents of south central Alabama by providing accessible, affordable means to develop their artistic talent. 209 East Three Notch Street, Andalusia, AL 36420
• The Andalusia Ballet Association’s purpose is to promote and foster the art of dance in the Covington County area. The Ballet also funds scholarships for those who cannot afford lessons. P.O. Box 1736, Andalusia, AL 36420

 

Education:

• LBW Community College Foundation was formed in 1970 with the purpose of promoting and supporting the programs and activities of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, P.O. Box 1418, Andalusia, AL 36420
• AHS Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit Alabama Corporation dedicated exclusively to providing college scholarships for graduates of Andalusia High School, P. O. Box 603, Andalusia, Al 36420.
• Covington County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a nonprofit organization that promotes early childhood literacy by giving free books to children from birth to 5 years so when they are finished receiving books they will have a personal library of 60 books. P.O. Box 643, Andalusia, AL 36420

 

Clothes:

• Goodwill is a long-standing nonprofit chain with a range of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares & more. 203 Church Street, Andalusia AL 36420
• The Christian Service Center’s mission is to help low-income families through clothing and food distributions. 403 South Three Notch Street, Andalusia, Alabama 36420

 

Other:

• Crossover Ministries is an addiction recovery center that helps people that have faced drug or alcohol charges turn their life around by working on a produce farm. 508 Highway 52 East Opp, Alabama 36467.
• Covington County Honor Flight takes World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans to Washington D.C., to see their monuments. They are currently preparing for a Fall 2018 trip. P.O. Box 188, Andalusia, AL 36420.
• United Fund of Covington County funds numerous local charities. P.O. Box 1791, Andalusia, AL 36420.
• Miracle League of Covington County’s mission is to provide a safe organized baseball league and supporting facilities for the special needs children and adults of the Covington County area, their families and friends. P.O. Box 1971, Andalusia, AL 36420.
• Habitat For Humanity’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live. P.O. Box 1034, Andalusia, AL 36420