If you’ve ever wondered about the importance of rural healthcare, wonder no more.  In the midst of Hurricane Michael, which was still packing winds over 100 miles per hour when it passed through our community, Miller County Hospital stood ready to care for existing patients as well as those who needed local medical attention during the storm and its aftermath.  Even without running water for 18 hours and running on generator power, Miller County Hospital and its team of providers and support staff, along with First Responders, delivered care to people in our area.  Our team rose to the occasion and we are so proud of each person and the selflessness displayed in the face of very trying circumstances.

Please read the article below about the tax credit program – your personal or business state income taxes can be allocated specifically to help Miller County Hospital via this tax credit program.  Act now!  The window of opportunity is limited, details below.

Individuals and qualified LLCs, S corps and Corporations can earmark personal or corporate state tax dollars to go to approved rural hospitals – and Miller County Hospital in Colquitt, Georgia is eligible for your tax credit support. Rural hospitals in Georgia are not only critical for access to healthcare to citizens, but they hold the keys economic engines of their communities by providing direct jobs at their facility, supporting local allied businesses, and offering assurance to existing and new industry that healthcare for employees and their families is available.

It’s been said, if you want to see a community die, close it’s hospital. It’s a harsh reality, but so very true. Georgia lawmakers understand the extreme importance of rural hospitals and their financial struggles; as a result, in 2016, they enacted Senate Bill (“SB”) 258, legislation that, effective January 1, 2017, awards Georgia income tax credits to individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to qualified rural hospital organizations (“RHOs”) located in Georgia.

The 2019 Tax Credit Overview
Participation in the Georgia HEART tax credit program is restricted to qualified Georgia rural hospitals, with criteria including county population size (50,000 or less, excluding military personnel); tax-exempt status or public hospital authority management; acceptance of Medicare and Medicaid; and minimum annual provision of indigent or uncompensated care, along with other parameters including demonstrating need, sustainability and the utilization of the donation.
From 2018 through 2021, Georgia taxpayers can access $60 million of Rural Hospital Organization (RHO) tax credits each year, with each qualified RHO having access to $4 million of tax credits, until the total annual $60 million cap is met. Individuals, married couples, an individual who is a member of an LLC, shareholder of an “S” corp, or partner in a partnership (pass-through entities) can participate, as well as “C” corporations:
• Individual Filer – 100% of the amount contributed, up to a limit of $5,000
• Married Filing Jointly – 100% of the amount contributed, up to a limit of $10,000
• Pass-Through Entity – 100% of the amount contributed, up to a limit of $10,000, so long as they would have paid Georgia income tax in that amount on their share of taxable income from the pass-through entity
• C Corporation or Trust – 100% of the amount contributed or 75% of the corporation or trust’s Georgia income tax liability, whichever is less

The bottom line: up to 100% of the money you are going to pay to the State of Georgia for income tax can be allocated to a qualified rural hospital of your choice as a tax credit. It’s that simple – instead of paying the state tax money, you can donate the designated funds to a rural hospital and make a real difference in the lives of our patients.

Why Select Miller County Hospital for Your Tax Credit Donation?

Miller, twice named Hospital of the Year by Hometown Health, is a 25-bed critical-access hospital that employs 500 people at its hospital, nursing home, and provider offices. Every dollar we receive from this program will be invested in staff, facilities, and equipment to provide quality care for real people…people who live and work in our rural community; people who would have to drive long distances for care if Miller County Hospital didn’t exist.

Act Now! The Window of Opportunity is Limited.
There’s no downside and no catch; it’s just this simple: instead of paying the State of Georgia the income tax money you owe, you donate the tax money to a rural hospital through the tax credit program and make a real difference in the lives of our patients.
Time is limited for the tax credit opportunity. Pre-applications for 2019 will be accepted beginning October 1 of 2018 for 2019 taxes. The $60 million cap for the 2018 tax year was reached in a few short weeks – and we expect the same for 2019.

Let’s Talk.
Would you like to speak to someone from Miller County Hospital about this program and how we will use any funds donated to our organization through the tax credit program? If so, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you!

Interested? Click here to learn more and access your tax credit application. Once the cap allowed by the State of Georgia is reached, no other applications will be accepted; if you’d like to make a difference with your dollars, please act now.