PURPOSE: This rule defines eligible administrators and contributors, and establishes guidelines which shall govern Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits.

1. (1) Public school districts, as defined under section 160.011, RSMo, shall be the eligible administrators of Sponsorship and Mentoring Program projects receiving approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
2. (2) Design of activities provided through the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program shall involve taxpaying businesses involved in helping to find solutions to problems concerning youth in their own communities. Eligible contributors are employers as defined in section 143.191, RSMo, or sections 143.401 to 143.471, RSMo, that have Missouri state income tax liability.

3. (3) A tax credit will be approved by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program for qualifying taxpayers that make property or monetary contributions to projects, which have been approved by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program, designed to help youth grow positively in their communities and to complete secondary education, enroll and complete post-secondary education, and gain successful entry into meaningful employment.

   1. (A) The allowable tax credits for contributions are—

      1. 1. One hundred percent (100%) for

property contributions (real or personal);

1. 2. One hundred percent (100%) for

monetary contributions; and

1. 3. Fifty percent (50%) for wages paid to

youth participating in an approved internship, apprenticeship or employment project.

1. (B) Contributions that qualify for tax credits are—

   1. 1. Cash—valued at face amount of check

or bankdraft;

1. 2. Materials, supplies, equipment—val-

ued at the lesser of either the fair market value or contributor’s cost;

1. 3. Real estate—valued at the lesser of

two (2) independent appraisals; and

1. 4. Wages paid to youth participating in

an internship, apprenticeship or employment program, which is directly tied to work-based mentorship—valued at total amount of wages earned.

1. (C) For taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 1998, a qualified taxpayer shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed by Chapter 143, RSMo, exclusive of the provisions relating to the withholding of tax as provided in sections 143.191 to 143.265, RSMo, to the extent of the lesser of two thousand dollars ($2,000) times the number of eligible students for which the qualified taxpayer is allowed a credit pursuant to this rule, or the net expenditures made directly or through a fund during a taxable year by the qualified taxpayer for the participation of an eligible student in an approved Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project.

   1. 1. Net expenditures are only those paid

or incurred for the participation of an eligible student in an approved Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project less any amounts received by the qualified taxpayer from any source for the provision of said mentoring activity.

1. 2. No credit shall be allowed for any

amounts for which any other credit is claimed or allowed under any other provision of state law for the same net expenditures.

1. 3. No credit shall be issued for mentor-

ing activities provided to an eligible student which occur during less than eight (8) calendar months of the taxable year for which a return is filed claiming said credit.

1. (D) The tax credit allowed by this rule shall be claimed by the qualified taxpayer at the time such taxpayer files a return and shall be applied against the income tax liability imposed by Chapter 143, RSMo, after all other credits provided by law have been applied.
2. (E) Where the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability, the difference between the credit and the tax liability shall not be refundable but may be carried forward to any of the taxpayer’s four (4) subsequent taxable years.
3. (F) There is no minimum contribution by qualified taxpayers set by DESE.

4. (G) Restrictions on tax credits for contributions to an approved Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project shall include, but not be limited to:

   1. 1. Used clothing does not qualify for

credit. Only new items contributed by clothing manufacturers, distributors, or retailers are eligible;

1. 2. Non-cash contributions qualify only

if the contributed goods are needed specifically to carry out project activities covered by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program agreement. Items are valued at the lesser of either the fair market value or cost to the contributor and may include reasonable overhead costs incurred by the contributor in making the contribution, such as transportation or shipping. In no case shall the value of the contributed items include sales tax;

1. 3. In order for credits to be given for the

contribution of buildings and other real estate, the title must be held free and clear by the contributor. Credits are based on the lesser of two (2) independent appraisals conducted by state-certified or state-licensed appraisers. Appraisals must be performed no more than eighteen (18) months prior to date of contribution. Only one (1) appraisal is required, however, if the property is either—

1. A. Commercial property whose

appraised value is less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); or

1. B. Vacant or residential property

whose appraised value is less than twentyfive thousand dollars ($25,000);

1. 4. Contributions of partial ownership

interest in real estate do not qualify for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits (i.e., full title must be given by the contributor in order for the contribution to qualify for credit);

1. 5. If only a portion of contributed real

estate is to be used for activities covered under this agreement, Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits will be prorated according to the proportion of the property that is to be used for the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project;

1. 6. A Phase I Environmental Assessment

is required on all real estate contributed for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program credit, with the exception of existing residential structures;

1. 7. If only a portion of the value of a non-

cash gift is contributed, Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits will be based on the amount discounted from what the value of the contribution would have been had the item been contributed outright;

1. 8. Contributions to pay for fund-raising

activities do not qualify for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits;

1. 9. Contributions of labor and profes-

sional services do not qualify for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits;

1. 10. Contributions of stocks and bonds

do not qualify for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits;

1. 11. Contributions must be made directly

to the school district which is administering an approved Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project;

1. 12. Contributions must be directly uti-

lized by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project. Contributions of items that will be sold or auctioned off are not eligible for Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits; and

1. 13. In order to qualify for tax credits,

contributions must occur within the approved project’s fund-raising period.

1. (H) Eligible businesses wishing to apply for tax credits must complete a Sponsorship and Mentoring Program Tax Credit Application.

   1. 1. Tax credit applications are to be com-

pleted and signed by the project director or authorized designee.

1. A. Tax credit applications must be

submitted directly to the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program office no later than one (1) year following the date of contribution.

1. B. Tax credit applications submitted

more than one (1) year following the date of contribution will be void and the right to the tax credit will be forfeited.

1. 2. The order in which tax credit appli-

cations are received by DESE will determine the order in which credits are approved.

1. 3. Facsimile copies of the application

and accompanying verifying documentation will be accepted provided it is complete and legible.

1. 4. DESE shall examine all submitted

applications and determine whether the contribution meets the eligibility criteria.

1. 5. If the tax credit application or verify-

ing documentation is illegible, or if the contribution is determined to be ineligible, the project will be notified and materials returned to the project. The Sponsorship and Mentoring Program will not be responsible for notifying individual contributors of ineligible contributions for tax credits.

1. (I) The following method will be used to determine the value of contributions of real or personal property:

   1. 1. Real or personal property contribu-

tions shall be equal to the lowest of at least two (2) qualified independent appraisals, with the following exceptions: commercial property which value is less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and vacant or residential property which value is less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) will require only one (1) appraisal;

1. 2. When the full title of real or personal

property is not transferred and use of property is offered, the amount of the contribution shall equal either the comparable market value of the rental or the actual rental value, whichever is less;

1. 3. Contributions of equipment, supplies,

or materials shall equal the cost to the contributor or the fair market value, whichever is less. Fair market value and cost to the contributor shall be determined by DESE and may be based on the applicant’s support of the amounts by documentation either from the applicant itself or from an independent appraiser; and

1. 4. When contributions consist of the use

of items, the amount of the contribution shall equal the actual cost of the item’s use to the contributor, but not more than the fair market value of that use. Cost and fair market value shall be determined by DESE and may be based on the applicant’s support of the amounts by documentation either from the applicant itself or from an independent appraiser.

1. (J) Verifying documentation must accompany each tax credit application and must be attached to the tax credit application. The required verifying documentation for the contribution depends on the type contribution, and may include, but is not limited to, one of the following:

   1. 1. Forms of verifying documentation for

monetary contributions are as follows:

1. A. Cash—legible receipt from the

project with the project name and Sponsorship and Mentoring Program reference number, name of the contributor, amount of contribution, and date of the contribution;

1. B. Check—photocopy of the canceled

check, front and back—if not possible then copy of original check and a receipt from the project with the project name and Sponsorship and Mentoring Program reference number, name of the contributor, amount of contribution, and date of the contribution;

1. C. Credit card—legible transaction

receipt with the project name and Sponsorship and Mentoring Program reference number, name of the contributor and amount of contribution;

1. D. Money order or cashiers check—

legible copy of original document with Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project name and reference number, name of contributor and amount of contribution;

1. E. Electronic transfers—copy of the

original authorization form from the contributor stating the amount to be deducted from the contributor’s account, how often the deductions are to occur (i.e., one (1) time, weekly, monthly, etc.) and the date the deductions are to begin and end.

1. (I) One (1) application for these

contributions must be submitted quarterly or at six (6)-month intervals totaling the amount to date that has been contributed. The date of the last contribution will be used by DESE as the official date of contribution.

1. (II) Also required is documentation

from the participating school district verifying the total cumulative amount that has been contributed by the contributing taxpayer. This documentation shall include the project name and Sponsorship and Mentoring Program reference number, name of the contributor, amount of contribution, and date(s) of the contributions; and

1. F. Cashiers check—photocopy of the

check. Accompanying the copy of the check should be a letter from the contributor stating 5 CSR 60-95

that the contribution is to the specific Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project, or a copy of the receipt from the administering school district which identifies the project name and Sponsorship and Mentoring Program reference number, name of the contributor, amount of contribution, and date of the contribution;

1. 2. Real estate contributions shall have a

copy of the deed and the required number of appraiser’s reports. All appraisals must be performed by state-licensed or certified appraisers;

1. 3. Contributions of equipment or sup-

plies shall have a copy of the invoice or other documentation showing the cost to the contributor or current fair market value, whichever is less;

1. 4. For wages paid to youth participating

in intern/apprenticeship or employment projects there shall be a copy of an invoice (or official record or statement) signed by the employee and employer itemizing the total number of hours worked and the employee’s hourly wages, along with a copy of the employer’s payroll record; and

1. 5. Any other type of contribution or

form of verification must be approved by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program and DESE prior to applying for credit.

1. (4) Upon approval of the tax credit application, a Tax Credit Certification form will be issued to the contributing taxpayer. The following criteria must also be met in order for the contributing taxpayer to claim the credit:

   1. (A) The total tax credits approved for each contributor shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per tax period;
   2. (B) Tax credits for wages paid to youth participating in an approved Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project shall not exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) in credits per youth;
   3. (C) Tax credits may be claimed by the contributor to offset tax liability against Chapter 143, RSMo, excluding withholding tax imposed by sections 143.191 to 143.265, RSMo;

   4. (D) In cases of a corporation described in section 143.471, RSMo, or a partnership, in computing Missouri’s tax liability, such as credits, shall be allowed to the following:

      1. 1. The shareholders of the corporation

described in section 143.471, RSMo;

1. 2. The partners of the partnership; and
2. 3. Such credits shall be apportioned to

these entities in proportion to their share of ownership on the last day of the taxpayer’s tax period;

1. (E) The amount of the tax credit claimed shall not exceed the amount of the taxpayer’s liability in the tax period that the credit is claimed;
2. (F) The tax credit shall be claimed by the contributor to offset the taxes that become due in the taxpayer’s tax period in which the contribution was made. Any tax credit not used in such tax period may be carried over the next four (4) succeeding tax periods;
3. (G) DESE will transmit in writing to the director of the Department of Revenue the necessary information on the amount of tax credits approved for each taxpayer; and
4. (H) In the event that tax credits were improperly approved, DESE will notify the taxpayer of the reason for the adjustment and notify the Department of Revenue that the tax credits have been adjusted and the reason for the adjustment.

1. (5) As the administering agency for the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program, DESE has the fiduciary responsibility of seeing that the tax credits are awarded for projects that result primarily in public benefit rather than private gain.

   1. (A) Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credits will not be used to financially benefit an organization that would not otherwise be eligible to apply for the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program on its own behalf. The following guidelines have been developed with this in mind:

      1. 1. New construction—The entire cost

may be underwritten by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program if the space will be fully used by the organization to carry out mentoring related activities, as agreed upon with DESE. If any portion of the newly constructed space will be for non-mentoring related activities it must be determined what proportion of the facility that represents and the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program will prorate that percentage of costs out of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project budget; and

1. 2. Building acquisition/renovation—The

entire cost may be underwritten by the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program if—

1. A. At least half of the space will be

fully used by the administering school district to carry out mentoring activities, as agreed upon with DESE; and

1. B. If more than half of the space shall

be fully used by the administering school district to carry out mentoring activities, as agreed upon with DESE, it must be determined what proportion of the facility that represents and the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program will prorate that percentage of costs out of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program project budget; and

1. (B) Approval for construction and renovation projects is based on the plans presented in the proposal, and on any revisions agreed upon with DESE. If, at some point during the next ten (10) years, the administering school district wishes to dispose of the constructed or renovated facility, credit payback may be avoided by selling it for at least ninety percent (90%) of fair market value, lump sum payment, with proceeds applied either toward a replacement facility for the organization, or by carrying out some other project activity approved by DESE.

   1. 1. If Sponsorship and Mentoring

Program credits have been given for improvements on leased property, and the lease is terminated (for whatever reason) and property reverts to the owner within ten (10) years, a percentage of the credits approved for the building, including any furnishings or equipment that revert to the owner, must be repaid to the state of Missouri.

1. 2. In addition to outright payment by the

organization to the state of Missouri, other acceptable methods of settlement involve voluntary relinquishing of credits by contributors. The percentage of credit settlement will be based on the number of years between project approval and time of voluntarily relinquished credits by contributing taxpayers.

1. A. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the first year, one hundred percent (100%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. B. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the second year, ninety percent (90%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. C. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the third year, eighty percent (80%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. D. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the fourth year, seventy percent (70%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. E. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the fifth year, sixty percent (60%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. F. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the sixth year, fifty percent (50%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. G. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the seventh year, forty percent (40%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. H. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the eighth year, thirty percent (30%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. I. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the ninth year, twenty percent (20%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

1. J. If the contributing taxpayer volun-

tarily relinquishes credits during the tenth year, ten percent (10%) of the Sponsorship and Mentoring Program tax credit shall be repaid to the state.

AUTHORITY: section 135.348, RSMo Supp. 1998.* Original rule filed March 22, 1999, effective Sept. 30, 1999.

*Original authority: 135.348, RSMo 1998.