Tax Day — Your Tax Return Can Make History!

It’s tax season again, and this is just a reminder that the voluntary tax “check-off” for the Ohio Historical Society that you’ll find on your Ohio individual income tax return benefits history and preservation related organizations throughout the state.

When you opt to donate a portion of your state income tax refund to the Ohio Historical Society, it goes to support the History Fund, which makes grants to organizations for local history and preservation related projects in communities across Ohio.

In 2013, the History Fund received $137,153 in donations from 15,890 Ohioans who contributed a portion of their state income tax refund. Most donations are small, averaging $8.63 in 2013, but the impact is big for those who receive History Fund grants. The matching grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

The tax check-off benefiting the History Fund first appeared on state income tax forms in 2012. The first History Fund grants were awarded in 2013 for a variety of history and preservation related projects. Learn more about the recipients of grants in 2013 and their projects at www.ohiohistory.org/historyfundrecips.

Please consider donating a portion of your tax refund to the Ohio Historical Society for the History Fund when you complete your state income tax return this year. Questions about the History Fund? Visit www.ohiohistory.org/makehistory or call the Ohio Historical Society’s Local History Office at 800-858-6878.