Support S.C. State Forests Fund, make donation when filing taxes; Forest system receives no state funding

STAFF REPORT

The South Carolina Forestry Commission is reminding residents as they are filing taxes to make a charitable contribution to the S.C. State Forests Fund.

Taxpayers have the opportunity to support the five state forests, which receive no state funding - Manchester in Clarendon and Sumter counties, Harbison in Richland County, Poe Creek in Poe Creek, Sand Hills in Chesterfield and Darlington counties and Wee Tee in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties - by making a check-off contribution on their state tax returns using Form I-330.

South Carolina's state forest system relies solely on timber receipts, pine straw sales and recreational permit revenue for its operating funds. "Our five state forests are self-supporting, so any money we receive from the check-off program goes right back into these forests and facilities, all for the benefit of the public," said James Douglas, SCFC State Lands Coordinator, in a news release.

The State Forests Fund check-off program has raised more than $210,847 in the 12 years since its inception, with all of the money used to make improvements and repairs, according to the release. Contributions help the state forests carry out their mission to be healthy, productive, forested ecosystems, improving the quality of life of South Carolina's citizens through the environmental, educational, economic and recreational benefits of active forest management.

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 $1,276,853 to school districts in 11 counties last year alone.

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.