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A Win-Win for Your Clients and Your Accounting Firm

As an accounting professional, you’re always looking for ways to deliver added value to your clients — and in Utah, one of the best-kept secrets in tax planning is the Children First Education Fund (CFEF).

CFEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the sole designated scholarship granting organization (SGO) under Utah Code §53E-7-4. It empowers children with disabilities by providing scholarships for private school tuition or homeschool-based learning. But what makes CFEF especially relevant to your practice is this: every donation to CFEF is eligible for a 100% Utah State income tax credit.

Yes — 100%. Not a deduction. A dollar-for-dollar credit.

Why This Matters for Your Clients

Whether you work with individuals or businesses, this program provides a rare opportunity to redirect — not increase — a client’s tax burden toward something that truly matters.

For individuals:

  • They can donate any amount and reduce their Utah state income tax by the same amount.
  • There are no income limits or minimum donation thresholds.
  • Their gift can be designated to one of the 80+ private schools partnering with CFEF, offering added meaning and control.

For businesses:

  • Donations help fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
  • Public support of children with disabilities boosts brand goodwill.
  • CFEF donations do not compete with other charitable deductions. It’s simply a redirection of taxes owed.

Why This Matters for Your Firm

Offering CFEF as a recommendation to your clients gives your firm several strategic advantages:

  • Client Loyalty: Presenting a powerful, ethical, and financially advantageous opportunity sets your practice apart.
  • Year-End Planning Tool: For clients anticipating higher-than-usual state income taxes, this is a go-to strategy with immediate ROI.
  • CSR Alignment: Your own firm can participate — then lead by example.

How It Works

  1. Clients donate to CFEF via check, ACH, credit card, or stock. (Visit cfe-fund.org/donate.)
  2. CFEF issues a tax credit certificate, which clients use to claim their tax credit on their Utah return.
  3. The full donation amount is credited against their Utah state income tax.
  4. 92% of all donations are required by law to go directly to scholarships for students with disabilities.

There is no financial downside — only upside in the form of redirecting state income tax for social impact. However, the total statewide tax credit pool is capped annually ($13.48M in 2026), and donations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The tax cap of $5.94M has already been met for 2025.

Ready to Empower Your Clients?

As a trusted advisor, you’re in a unique position to guide clients toward decisions that are both financially sound and socially meaningful. CFEF is an ideal way to align tax planning with impact — and it opens the door for your firm to lead in financial stewardship that matters.

For tools, sample language, or to make your own firm’s contribution, visit www.cfe-fund.org/donate or contact CFEF directly at info@cfe-fund.org.

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