On October 2, 2026, Treasury and the IRS published temporary regulations (T.D. 10057). For 2027, a state must file its election by January 1, 2027 (11:59 p.m.) and submit its SGO list by February 15, 2027. If the state does not submit that list, no SGO in that state qualifies. The credit is up to $1,700 per taxpayer ($1,700 single, $3,400 married filing jointly). Learn more

SGOlist
Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program

Arkansas Scholarship Granting Organizations

3 SGOs listed Β· 2 accepting students Β· 3 accepting donors

Tax Credit100%
CreditDollar-for-dollar
GradesK-12
Max Scholarship~$6,900
Annual Cap$6M+ (5% escalator)
Income Limit200% FPL (~$62K for family of 4)
Federal CreditUp to $1,700 per taxpayer ($1,700 single, $3,400 married filing jointly)
EffectiveJanuary 1, 2027

Am I eligible?

Your child may qualify through Arkansas's Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids (PIAK) scholarship program if:

  • Family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (approximately $62,400 for a family of four in 2025-26)
  • Students with IDEA-identified disabilities β€” qualify regardless of prior public school enrollment
  • Kindergartners enrolling for the first time β€” automatically eligible
  • Out-of-state transfers who attended an Arkansas private school for less than half the previous academic year
  • Students who attended public school for at least one semester in the current school year

How much can my child receive?

Up to ~$6,900 per student per year (2025-26), based on grade level:

  • K-8: 80% of per-pupil foundation funding (~$6,000 in 2024-25)
  • Grades 9-12: 90% of per-pupil foundation funding (~$6,800 in 2024-25)

Awards cannot exceed actual tuition and fees. Scholarships are distributed 50% each semester (September and January). Students with IDEA-identified disabilities can stack PIAK and Educational Freedom Account (EFA) funds to cover qualifying expenses beyond tuition.

What does the scholarship cover?

Tuition and fees at qualifying Arkansas private schools.

How to apply

Applications are managed by individual SGOs β€” there is no centralized state application. Browse the SGO listings on this page to find an approved organization, then apply directly through their website. You will typically need to submit income documentation (prior-year Form 1040) with your application.

Key Dates & Deadlines
  • April–May: Application windows typically open for the following school year
  • September: Semester 1 enrollment verification and first scholarship payment (50%)
  • January: Semester 2 enrollment verification and second scholarship payment (50%)

How the tax credit works

Arkansas offers a 100% dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit for donations to approved SGOs under the PIAK program.

  • Individuals and businesses: Credit up to 100% of your Arkansas income tax liability
  • No per-donor cap β€” limited only by the statewide cap and your tax liability
  • Carry forward: Unused credits roll forward up to 3 years

How to donate

  1. Choose an approved SGO β€” browse the listings on this page and donate directly to an approved SGO
  2. Receive your receipt β€” the SGO provides a "Philanthropic Investment Kids Program - Tax Credit Application and Receipt of Eligible Contribution" form
  3. Claim the credit β€” attach the receipt to your Arkansas state income tax return

Credits are allocated first-come, first-served against the statewide cap β€” there is no formal reservation portal. Contact the DFA Tax Credits/Special Refunds Section at PIAKP.TaxCredit@dfa.arkansas.gov or (501) 682-7106 for cap availability.

Note: Donors cannot designate a specific student.

Program impact

The PIAK program has grown rapidly since the LEARNS Act (2023) tripled the statewide cap from $2M to $6M and added an automatic 5% annual escalator.

YearStudentsTotal PayoutsCap
2022-23~360~$2M$2M (original)
2023-24~900+~$5-6M$6M (LEARNS Act)
2024-25~1,068~$6.3M~$6.3M (after escalator)

The program serves approximately 0.2% of Arkansas's K-12 population. The 90% utilization threshold has been reached, triggering the automatic 5% escalator each year.

Key Dates & Deadlines
  • Year-round: Donate anytime β€” first-come, first-served allocation against statewide cap
  • December 31: Donation deadline to claim credit for the current tax year
  • April 15: Arkansas income tax return deadline β€” attach DFA receipt to claim credit
  • 3-year carry-forward: Unused credits roll forward automatically
Federal Tax Credit Program

Arkansas opted in to the federal scholarship tax credit program on January 16, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, donors can also claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer ($1,700 single, $3,400 married filing jointly) for donations to qualifying Arkansas SGOs.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Opted In

Arkansas has opted in to the federal scholarship tax credit program created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 4, 2025). A taxpayer can claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer ($1,700 single, $3,400 married filing jointly) for a cash gift made on or after January 1, 2027 only if Arkansas has filed its election and submitted its SGO list, and only for an SGO on that list.

For 2027, a state must file its election by January 1, 2027 (11:59 p.m.) and submit its SGO list by February 15, 2027. If the state does not submit that list, no SGO in that state qualifies.

The federal credit is reduced by any state tax credit claimed for the same contribution.

Federal Credit
Up to $1,700 per taxpayer ($1,700 single, $3,400 married filing jointly)
Effective Date
January 1, 2027
Income Limit
300% AMI
Learn more about the federal program β†’See every state's status on the tracker β†’

Arkansas's federal opt-in status

Opted In
Opt-in action (date)
January 16, 2026
Last verified
October 6, 2026

This page is for information only and is not tax advice.

Program Details

Program name
Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program
Tax credit
100% of donation
For Donors

100% tax credit in Arkansas

Donations to Arkansas SGOs can qualify for a state tax credit of 100% of the donation.

Learn how it works β†’

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