What are the possible disadvantages of tuition tax credits?
- The Forgotten Lower-class. To use a tax credit, a family must earn a level of income such that they have a tax liability, unless it is a refundable credit, which is received by families for any amount in excess of their tax burden.
- Lost Public Revenues. If a large number of families whose children already attend private schools claim tuition tax credits, the state may have a large drain on its resources.
- Lack of Social Cohesion. Tuition tax credits may further segregate students, especially from different social classes, leading to increased social divisions.
- Undermines Public Schools. Rather than address and solve the problems of public schools, tuition tax credits openly encourage families who might press for change to attend private schools.
What is the size of the tuition tax credit movement?
Despite state legislators’ regular efforts to create tuition tax credit programs, few actually exist. As of fall 2003, only four states allowed tuition tax credits: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. While the Minnesota program is restricted to low-income families, tuition tax credits are available to all citizens in the other three states. Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona allow individuals and corporations that contribute to voucher or scholarship programs to benefit from tax credits. The chart below identifies the characteristics of current tuition tax credit programs.
Current Tuition Tax Credit Programs
| State | Origin | Eligibility | Tax Credit |
| Arizona | 1997 | All Taxpayers | Taxpayers may claim 25% of the first $1,000 dollars spent on education expenses. Also, taxpayers can claim up to $500 ($625 if filed jointly) for scholarship contributions. |
| Florida | 2002 | Corporations | Corporations may claim up to $50 million dollars annually as a tax credit for donations to scholarship funds. The tax credit may not exceed 75% of a corporation's tax bill. |
| Illinois | 1999 | All Taxpayers | Parents may claim a 25% credit on a maximum of $500 for educational expenses at public, private, and parochial schools. |
| Iowa | 1987 | All Taxpayers | Taxpayers may claim 25% of the first $1,000 spent on educational expenses as a tax credit. |
| Minnesota | 1997 | Families with income less than $37,500 | Families with an income less than $33,500 may claim 75% of first $1,000 dollars spent on each child as tax credit. The maximum credit for a family is $2,000. Families that earn between $33,500 and $37,500 receive a reduced tax credit. |
| Pennsylvania | 2001 | Corporations | Corporations that contribute to scholarship funds receive a 75% tax credit and 90% for a commitment to make the same donation the following year. Up to $100,000 dollars can be donated annually. |
Where can I find out more about tuition tax credits?
Information about tuition tax credits located on the NCSPE website can be found at http://www.ncspe.org/inforead.php?mysub=8
For additional information from internet resources see:
People for the American Way– an advocate for public education– at: http://www.pfaw.org
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Reprinted with the permission of the National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education.
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