Help support forest recreation, operations with a charitable check-off on your return

STAFF REPORT

The South Carolina Forestry Commission is asking residents to make a charitable contribution to the S.C. State Forests Fund when submitting their tax returns.

According to a news release from the commission, taxpayers have the opportunity to support the five state forests - Manchester in Sumter County, Harbison, Poe Creek, Sand Hills and Wee Tee - by making a check-off contribution on their state tax returns using Form I-330.

South Carolina's state forest system receives no state funding and relies solely on timber receipts, pine straw sales and recreational permit revenue for its operating money. "Our state forests are 100% self-supporting. All money received from the check-off program goes into these forests and facilities for the benefit of the public," said James Douglas, SCFC State Lands coordinator, in the release.

State forests pay 25 percent of their gross proceeds from the sale of timber, pine straw, rentals and other fees to the counties that contain them. This money is designated for general school purposes.

The State Forests Fund check-off program has raised more than $249,865 in the 13 years since its inception, with all of the money used to make improvements and repairs that directly benefit visitors and enhance their experience on state forest lands.

Not only do the state forests support themselves, but they also provide funding to school systems in the counties that host them, giving more than $844,943.42 to school districts in 10 counties last year alone and more than $20 million since 1991.

To give to the S.C. State Forests Fund:

- Enter the amount of your donation on Line 28 of your individual income tax form, S.C. Form 1040;

- Then enter the amount of your donation on Line 15 of S.C. Tax Form I-330, then again on Line 19; and

- Attach S.C. Tax Form I-330 to your tax filing or give it to your professional tax preparer.