Stillwater, OKLA. - Stillwater United Way Executive Director Shelley Ricker is suggesting that local residents “rebate” their tax rebates to United Way this year.
Oklahoma residents will be receiving rebates in the mail in the next few weeks from the State of Oklahoma. Single filing taxpayers will be receiving a $45 rebate while those filing jointly will be receiving a $90 rebate check, according to Gov. Brad Henry. The checks are to arrive in November as a distribution of surplus state revenues.
Ricker says she heard the idea of encouraging taxpayers to sent rebate checks to United Way from OSU Dean of Human Environmental Sciences Patricia Knaub. But several campaign leaders suggested the same campaign strategy based on the local “Fly the United Way” kite theme.
“We’ve all learned a lot about kites this year,” says Ricker. “And one lesson comes from the tail. It takes more than a single tag of cloth to make a tail and without the tail the kite doesn’t fly.”
Ricker says she’s heard some residents say the small rebates won’t make much of a difference in their family budgets. But she points out that hundreds of rebate checks would make a big difference to Stillwater’s United Way agencies.
Even a single $45 rebate would help fill three prescriptions at the Community Health Center or pay for a night of shelter at the Domestic Violence Center.
Ricker says agencies supported by the local United Way are feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices and natural heating gas, too. Donated rebate checks could go a long way in helping the 25 agencies who helped more than 55-thousand residents locally last year maintain services in the face of rising costs and increasing need.
A gift to United Way, even one increased by the inclusion of a state tax rebate, might even result in a larger federal tax refund. Ricker reminds taxpayers that contributions are deductible for those who itemize on their tax forms. Ricker says the United Way also accepts gifts of stock and that donating appreciated stock is also deductible. She suggests seeing your tax advisor or estate planner for specific information on the tax advantages of donating to United Way.
The local campaign is about half way to the $740,000 campaign goal. And Ricker says campaign leaders are hoping the tax rebate initiative will push giving even higher than the goal amount.
Contributions may be made at the United Way office, 109 E. 9th Avenue in downtown Stillwater or by mail to P. O. Box 308 or online at www.stillwaterunitedway.org.
