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Be All in for Kids, and Keep Your Tax Dollars in Rockdale County

Rockdale County taxpayers can redirect a portion of their Georgia income taxes to the Rockdale Education Foundation to support Rockdale County Public Schools by taking advantage of the PEACH Education Tax Credit. This program, an initiative of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, has been funded by the legislature with $15 million for the entire state, which is being distributed on a first come, first served basis. So act now.

Tax Credit Limits Based on Filing Status
  • A single individual or head of household is eligible to receive a Georgia state income tax credit up to $2,500.
  • For married couples that file separately, you are eligible to receive a Georgia state income tax credit up to $2.500.
  • A married couple filing jointly is eligible to receive a Georgia state income tax credit up to $5,000.
  • An S-corporation shareholder, LLC member or partnership partner is eligible to receive a Georgia state income tax credit up to $25,000.
  • A C-corporation or trust is eligible to receive up to 75% of annual Georgia income tax liability.

What is a 1: 1 Tax Credit?
A 1:1 tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the amount of tax you owe. For every dollar of credit you apply for (and send to Rockdale Education Foundation), your final tax bill is reduced by one dollar.

What is the PEACH Education Tax Credit?
Georgia allows individuals and businesses to contribute to a local public school system (that has been pre-approved) and receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit in return. For every dollar you direct to Rockdale County Public Schools, your GA tax bill is reduced by a dollar.

Does this cost me anything?
No. Since your state tax bill is reduced by the amount you “give” to a school system, the tax credit brings money to Rockdale Education Foundation for RCPS without costing the taxpayer anything. 

Is there a catch?
No catch, but you do have to pre-pay for your tax credits within 60 days of your application approval and your bill is reduced when you file your taxes (April 15 or at whatever date you pay).

How to Take Advantage of the PEACH Education Tax Credit:
  1. Apply Now
    Complete your 2026 PEACH Education Tax Credit application today or before the 12/31/26 deadline (it takes less than a minute) and designate Rockdale Public Schools, Rockdale Education Foundation on the drop-down menu. The Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) will submit your application to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) on your behalf.
  2. Receive Approval
    Georgia Foundation for Public Education and the Department of Revenue will notify you of your approved tax credit amount and payment deadline to take part in PEACH.  You can expect to receive your approval via email and mail about 7-10 days after you submit your application.
  3. Send Funds to the GA Foundation for Public Education
    Once you receive your approval, submit your payment to the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, following the directions that come with your approval letter, within 60 days.
  4. Keep your receipt
    Within one week of receiving your funds, the Georgia Foundation for Public Education will send you the Form IT-QED-FUND1, which serves as your receipt for the funds.
  5. Claim your Tax Credit
    To claim the tax credit on your state income taxes, you will need to use the information on the Form IT-QED-FUND1 or provide it to whoever does your tax return (Note: you will take the credit when you file your 2026 taxes in early 2027). This is an easy way to support students in Rockdale County with funds you are already required to pay the government, so it costs you nothing! If you have any questions, please email us or contact the Georgia Foundation for Public Education at 678-590-7047 or kjordan@doe.k12.ga.us.

Submit Your 2026 Tax Credit Application

As champions of public education, the Rockdale Education Foundation invests in students and teachers, fills funding gaps, and rallies community support to expand educational opportunities.

PEACH Tax Credit approved project for 2026: Elementary STEAM Education and Certification

This is a multi-year, districtwide effort designed to position every RCPS elementary school to work toward recognized STEAM certification. The initiative will strengthen science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education by modernizing elementary science labs, expanding arts instruction and integration, supporting professional learning, creating authentic student experiences, and helping schools build individualized pathways toward STEAM certification.
A major goal of the project is to ensure that students across all RCPS elementary schools have access to strong, hands-on STEAM learning regardless of which school they attend. Proposed investments include updated science laboratory furniture and equipment, safety improvements, robotics and engineering resources, arts and digital media tools, professional learning, student showcases, field experiences, and partnerships with community experts.
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