LINK: House Bill 039
SPONSOR: Reps. Wendy Horman and Jason Monks, Sens. Lori Den Hartog and C. Scott Grow
IFF Analysis:
STATUS: Awaiting hearing in House Rev & Tax
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit legislation provides for a refundable tax credit up to $5,000 for a parent, guardian or foster parent that incurs qualified education expenses for an eligible student. “Qualified expenses” include kindergarten through twelfth grade tuition and fees related to attending a nonpublic school, tutoring, taking assessments used to determine college admission, costs for textbooks, curriculum, and transportation costs for the purpose of receiving academic instruction. The refundable tax credit is increased up to $7,500 for special needs students that require ancillary personnel to assist in academic instruction. All families may apply for the refundable tax credit during the application timeframe, but families whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level receive the highest priority and can also elect to have a one-time advance tax credit payment in their first year of participation in the program. The Idaho State Tax Commission will administer the program and has the ability to audit records, receipts and documents similar to all tax filings to ensure accountability. The Idaho State Tax Commission may refer suspected cases of fraud to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution. The Tax Commission will be required to report annually to the Idaho Legislature on the number of tax credits applied for and the average tax credit issued, the types and amounts of qualified education expenses, the income of households applying for the credit, and the geographic area of the parents applying for the tax credit.
LATEST NEWS:
1/22/25: Rep. Horman introduced the long-awaited school choice bill in House Rev & Tax this morning. In addition to the numbers, Horman made it clear that the best accountability for the use of these funds would be in the hands of homeschool parents and private schools. She denounced the idea of extending the public school system into the private sector. The committee voted along party lines to introduce the bill.
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
