SUPPORT FORSYTH COUNTY
This is your chance to decide where your tax dollars go!
You have the opportunity to keep the county safe for our families. It’s rare for state governments to let you keep your tax dollars right here in Forsyth County.
The Heroes of Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
Explorers 501(c)(3) makes it possible!
Create An Account
Create an account at the Georgia Tax Center & register for pre-approval. (https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/)
Watch for Approval
Within 30 days, the Georgia Dept. of Revenue will send you a letter approving your registration.
Submit Donation
You will have 60 days from approval to make your payment to the HEROES foundation (include a copy of your approval letter).
Receive Confirmation
After receiving your payment, HEROES of Forsyth County Sheriff foundation will send form IT-QLED-LEF1.
File Your Taxes
Taxpayers will submit form
IT-QLED-TP2 with their current year tax filings to receive their credit.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
MORE ABOUT THE LESS CRIME ACT!
In 2022,
the state of Georgia implemented the LESS Crime Act, which allows individuals and businesses to allocate a portion of their state income taxes to local law enforcement agencies via specially set up foundations. Contributions made to these foundations result in an equivalent amount of state income tax credits, subject to the limits of the program.
At a local level,
the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office established the Heroes of Forsyth County Sheriff organization as its authorized foundation. This foundation is operated entirely by volunteers and its leadership is comprised of community members. All contributions made to the foundation are solely used for the benefit of the Sheriff’s Office. We are honored to extend an invitation to you to support one of the nation’s premier law enforcement agencies by contributing to the HEROES of Forsyth County Sheriff foundation!
The Law Enforcement Strategic Support Act allows businesses and individual taxpayers to claim a tax credit for the contributions to a qualified law enforcement foundation (50lc3). Essentially you get to decide if a portion of your state income tax gets to stay in Forsyth County.
Short Answer: It's a dollar-for-dollar tax credit you can claim on your taxes if you prepay your expected state-tax liability to a law enforcement 501(c)(3) foundation in the state of Georgia.
This dollar-for-dollar tax credit program allows single filers to claim up to $5,000, married couples up to $10,000, and qualified C corporations up to 75% of their state tax liability.
Short Answer: Single Filers: $5,000 - Married Couples: $10,000 - Qualified C-Corporations: Up to 75% state tax liability
Yes! Each qualified law enforcement foundation can receive up to $3 million dollars. The state cap is $75 million dollars.
Short Answer: Yes. Single Agency: $3MIL - Statewide Combined: $75MIL
The money can be used for training & education for both deputies & K9s, protective equipment such as deputy & K9 vests, and safety initiatives to equip School Resource Officers and others in keeping our school campuses safe. Money can also be used for supplemental pay for specialized deputies when needed. This will help ensure the FCSO hires and retains the best personnel.
Short Answer: FCSO uses the money for school/SRO, deputy, & K9 safety equipment.
Yes! You do not have to live in the same county you are selecting your credit to go to.
Short Answer: Yes.
The Law Enforcement Strategic Support Act allows businesses and individual taxpayers to claim a state-tax credit for the contributions to a qualified law enforcement foundation (501-c-3) in the state of Georgia. If you live outside the state of Georgia, you will not pay Georgia state taxes, so you may not benefit from a dollar-for-dollar tax credit - each state has different laws, so you need to look into what your state offers.
However, you can still make a donation and write-off your donation on your taxes because the HEROES of Forsyth Sheriff foundation is a 501(c)(3), federally registered, non-profit organization.
Short Answer: Yes. However, this is a Georgia state-tax bill, so you may not receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
One registered and approved with the state of Georgia, the individual or business would make payment straight to the HEROES of Forsyth Sheriff foundation. The foundation would then complete a form and send to the payee. The form would then be filed with state tax documents for that years tax filing, to receive the dollar-for-dollar credit.
Short Answer: Payment is made to the HEROES 501(c)(3) foundation.
We now accept electronic payments such as credit & debit cards, Paypal, & Venmo (through Paypal) - all available online through this website. Contact us if you would like to wire money directly to the HEROES of Forsyth Sheriff foundation account.
Short Answer: Yes! We now accept electronic payments.
You have 60 days, or by the last day of the year (whichever is less) to fulfill your payment commitment. However, you are not required to pay that donation if you are not able to. After the 60 days, or the last day of the year (whichever is less), your application rolls off & you must re-apply to take advantage of the credit.
If you foresee an issue in making your payment within the time allowed, please contact us to discuss options. We understand that situations arise that may alter plans. We can help you plan the best approach to make your donation count, and help you receive your credit.
Short Answer: Yes & No. There is a deadline of 60 days to fulfill the payment commitment, but are not required to if you are not able.
No! Commitments are first come first served. As long as the individual pays their commitment within the 60 days (or last day of the year - whichever is sooner), the commitment will stand, and the corporation would need to adjust their commitment to meet the $3 million cap.
However, if you miss your deadline of 60 days (or the last day of the year - whichever is less), you would need to re-register and the corporation commitment would come first. With that said, as of January 2025, no foundation in the state of Georgia has reached their $3MIL maximum.
Short Answer: No! Commitments are first come, first served.
Short Answer: Yes! You are not limited to one tax credit per person, but one tax credit per filing.
Yes! Just as your business/organization taxes are separate from your personal taxes, your donations are separate as well. However, if your LLC taxes are filed under your personal taxes, you are limited to donate only under that tax return.
The Law Enforcement Tax Credit is not limited as on credit per person. You can only have one dollar-for-dollar tax credit per filing. As long as your business taxes are filed separately from your personal taxes, you can register for the tax credit, and make a donation from both.
The tax credit begins on January 1 for each calendar year, and ultimately must be paid AND received by the last day of that same calendar year (December 31). However, you are given 60 days after registration approval to pay your commitment donation. If December 31 is sooner than the end of the 60 days, December 31 is the requirement deadline.
With that said, time is of the essence in making the tax credit donation, as the opportunity closes as soon as the $75 million is pledged statewide or $3 million maximum donations are received by the HEROES foundation. Though neither of these limits have been reached, to be successful, we need your help in having this done as soon as the new year arrives. Check with your accountant/CPA to discuss what your tax liability is each year and complete the process as quickly as possible.
This not only helps the HEROES of Forsyth County Sheriff utilize those funds to put back into the community quicker, it helps you secure your place in taking advantage of this tax credit. Every year new foundations are formed across the state and the statewide credit allowance is closer to being met. Let's make sure Forsyth County does not miss out on this incredible benefit.
Short Answer: Within 60 days of registration approval, or by the last day of the year (whichever is less).
For most individuals, taxes are due early in the year, for the prior year's filing. You can expect to receive a tax credit form for the full amount donated for any given year, once the full commitment is made. This form will be your golden ticket when filing, so your payment will be deducted dollar-for-dollar against your tax liability for the year you registered and made the payment.
Example: If you register and are approved for the tax credit in April 2025, and you make your full payment at the end of May 2025 (within your 60-day allowance), you will receive a 2025 tax credit form from us to use when filing your 2025 taxes (typically in early 2026).
Short Answer: The credit is applied to the current year taxes - the year you registered for & paid the tax credit donation.
Sory Answer: Visit the Georgia Dept. of Revenue website or the Sheriff's Office's website for more information.
You can visit the Georgia Department of Revenue's webpage at https://dor.georgia.gov/taxes/tax-credits, or visit the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office webpage for more information. Feel free to email or call us (info at the bottom of the page) for more information.