By Rene Harwell

LRMC 

Ameris Bank is known for its community involvement and support, but their recent contribution to Liberty Regional Medical Center goes above and beyond. 

This very generous $200,000 donation has been given through the Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program as a portion of the $2 million they have given this year in support of 19 rural hospitals in Georgia. Last year Ameris Bank gave $100,000 to Liberty Regional through this same program.

The Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit program was enacted several years ago by the State of Georgia to allow and encourage Georgia taxpayers to redirect their state income tax liability, as a 100 percent tax credit, to their local rural hospitals to help improve the financial condition of those qualified organizations with funds to not only enhance existing patient services but offer much needed additional services for the communities in which they serve. 

The state of Georgia allows a total of up to $60 million of income tax credit to be donated, at no additional cost to the taxpayer. From Jan. 1 through June 30, individual filers may contribute up to $5,000 of their total state tax liability.  Married couples filing jointly and Pass-Through Entities such as S-Corporations, LLCs and Partnerships, may contribute up to $10,000 as well.  

C-Corporations and Trusts may contribute up to 75 percent of their total state tax liability. 

Beginning July 1, if the taxpayer liability exceeds these amounts, additional contributions can be made at that time in an amount up to the total tax liability.

Pass-Through Entities may also be able to use this contribution as a business expense on their Federal tax return. However, taxpayers are advised to consult with their tax accountant first.

“By using your state tax dollars as a contribution through this program, you will be helping to improve the quality of healthcare and the quality of life in our community with no out of pocket cost to you.” said Tammy Mims, CEO of Liberty Regional. “The State of Georgia is allowing you the opportunity to redirect the taxes you already pay, to your local hospital instead.”

For more information and to sign-up for this tax credit, visit the Georgia Heart website at www.georgiaheart.org, contact the staff at Georgia Heart at heart@georgiaheart.org or Rene’ Harwell, Liberty Regional Director of Community Outreach at rene.harwell@libertryegional.org.

Rene Harwell