Randall Dighton
You Are Invited to a Special House Concert
Mary Jo Bellner Swartzberg
November is the perfect time of the year to sit on a patio, have wonderful hors d’oeuvres, sip an adult beverage, and listen to Randall Dighton perform music from popular movies and Broadway musicals. With over 60 years of performing, Randall brings his amazing voice and guitar skills to entertain and charm his audiences.
Randall has over 400 songs in his repertoire, including 50 from popular movies and Broadway musicals. If you enjoy the likes of “If Ever I Would Leave You” (Camelot), “Edelweiss” (The Sound of Music), “Memory” (Cats), or “The Music of the Night” (Phantom of the Opera), you will enjoy this evening of reminiscing. In fact, you will be transported back to the time in your life when you first heard the iconic songs that Randall will be performing. We hope that you can join us!
This wonderful House Concert will be held on Nov. 6, with beverages and hors d’oeuvres served at 4:30 p.m., at the home of Marjorie and Tom Herrmann (hosts), 61879 E. Sandlewood. This House Concert is being co-sponsored by Barry and Mary Jo Swartzberg and Randall and Linda Dighton.
This concert benefits the Oracle Schools Foundation. The price of a ticket is $60 per person. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided by members of the Catalina Chorale, of which Randall is the director.
To purchase tickets, go to www.oracleschoolsfoundation.com.
Two Smart Tax Strategies That Help a Local Charity
Dale Farland
You have already prepared your tax returns for 2024 and are now thinking, “How can I reduce my federal and/or Arizona income taxes?” Here are two smart tax strategies which reduce your income taxes while helping a local charity, the Oracle Schools Foundation (OSF). Of course, you should always consult with your tax advisor.
OSF helps raise additional funding to help support programs within the district. Donations primarily fund the free KinderPrep (preschool) for three- and 4-year-old children of the Oracle vicinity. There are 59 students in the KinderPrep. Did you know that Arizona does not fund preschool?
Did you know that Mountain Vista Elementary School is a Title I school, meaning that the majority of the families are low income? OSF also funds other programs to help all of the Mountain Vista students, such as enhanced reading and math programs. In fact, OSF needs to raise $120,000 annually to fund these programs as well as the free KinderPrep.
1) Do you have to take an annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Would you prefer not to pay income taxes on your RMD?
When you receive your RMD, or any distribution from your IRA account, you pay income taxes on it. However, if you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a 501(c)(3) charity, you do not pay any income taxes on that distribution, and it counts towards your annual RMD. Of course, you cannot claim the donation on your income taxes; however, you are also not paying any income taxes on that distribution.
To make a QCD to the Oracle Schools Foundation, have your IRA trustee send a check directly to Oracle Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738. In compliance with IRS guidelines, no goods or services are provided in exchange for the donation. It will not be placed in a donor advised fund nor given to a supporting organization.
2) OSF is now an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (AZQCO), and donations receive a tax credit. You take the donation dollar for dollar off your Arizona income taxes!
You cannot claim more than you owe in Arizona state income taxes, so confirm with your tax advisor.
For 2025, the amount you can donate is $987 for married couples and $495 for single individuals in total donations for all AZQCO organizations.
To securely donate on our website, please go to Oracleschoolsfoundation.com. If you would rather, you can write a check to Oracle Schools Foundation and mail it to P.O. Box 8863, Catalina, AZ 85738.
The AZQCO code for Oracle Schools Foundation when you prepare your Arizona income taxes is 22773.
So, it is a win/win. You pay less income taxes and the charity receives the donation.
As aforementioned, always confirm with your tax advisor. Thank you!