Bill > HB77

This bill establishes the "Missouri Parental Choice Tax Credit Act", which creates a tax credit program for parents and guardians who pay for educational expenses for students attending qualified non-public schools. Starting in January 2026, qualified taxpayers can claim a tax credit for eligible educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, textbooks, curriculum, instructional materials, testing fees, tutoring services, educational technology, and certain therapies. The tax credit is limited to the lesser of the total eligible expenses or the state's adequacy target. Qualified students must be dependents who are enrolled full-time in a qualified school (which includes private, virtual, parochial, and family-paced education schools) instead of a public school. The program prioritizes applicants with lower incomes, particularly those at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. The tax credits are refundable but cannot be transferred or carried forward to subsequent years. The program will automatically sunset after six years unless reauthorized by the state legislature, and participants cannot simultaneously receive funds from the Missouri empowerment scholarship accounts program for the same student. The Missouri Department of Revenue will manage the application process, including verifying eligibility and conducting potential audits.

Government Affairs

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB77&year=2025&code=R