15-30-163. Credit for contributions to university system or private college foundations. (1) An individual, corporation, partnership, or small business corporation, as defined in 15-31-201, is allowed a tax credit against taxes imposed by 15-30-103 or 15-31-101 in an amount equal to 10% of the aggregate amount of charitable contributions made by the taxpayer during the year to any of the general endowment funds of the Montana university system foundations or a general endowment fund of a Montana private college or its foundation. The maximum credit that a taxpayer may claim in a year under this section is $500. The credit allowed under this section may not exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability.
     (2) There is no carryback or carryforward of the credit permitted under this section, and the credit must be applied in the year the donation is made, as determined by the taxpayer's accounting method.
     (3) (a) For the purposes of this section, "foundation" means a nonprofit organization that is created exclusively for the benefit of any unit of the Montana university system or a Montana private college and that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
     (b) For the purposes of this section, "Montana private college" means a nonprofit private educational institution:
     (i) whose main campus and primary operations are within the state; and
     (ii) that offers baccalaureate degree level education and is accredited for that purpose by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the board of regents of higher education.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 542, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 152, L. 1995.