Bill > S0306

This bill creates a tax credit program for parents whose children attend qualifying private schools, parochial schools, or home schools in grades K-12, with the credit amount increasing annually from $2,000 in 2025 to $8,500 in 2027 and thereafter. To qualify, schools must provide an affidavit about their educational status, address, ability to enroll students, and commitment to family educational expectations, and must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or be properly registered for home schools. Parents can claim the credit for the lesser of actual tuition costs or the maximum annual amount, with the credit becoming refundable in 2027, but they cannot simultaneously claim the exceptional needs tax credit. The bill includes several restrictions: parents must provide proof of tuition payment, students cannot have attended public school for more than 44 days in the tax year, and fraudulent claims will be prosecuted. Additionally, for each student who leaves a public school, the state will reduce State Aid to Classrooms by a corresponding amount that matches the tax credit. The Treasurer will maintain a public list of qualifying schools, and the Attorney General can enforce compliance with the law. The bill emphasizes parental rights and provides a mechanism for parents to seek legal recourse if they believe the law has been violated.

Budget and Finance

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0306&session=126&summary=B