Iowa House Bill HF2301

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

A bill for an act repealing the school tuition organization tax credit available against the individual and corporate income taxes and including effective date provisions.

Impact

The repeal of the STO tax credit has broad implications for educational funding mechanisms in Iowa. By eliminating this tax incentive, the state is indicating a shift in how educational funding may be supported moving forward. This might lead to increased scrutiny over alternative funding models for private education, which previously benefitted from these tax credits. Advocates for educational reform may view this measure as a push towards more equitable funding systems, while opponents could argue it limits parental choice in education.

Summary

House File 2301 constitutes a significant legislative change by repealing the school tuition organization (STO) tax credit available against individual and corporate income taxes in Iowa. The bill will be effective from July 1, 2024, preventing any contributions made to an STO after this date from being eligible for tax credits. Furthermore, there will be a reduction in the total approved tax credits for the year 2024, down from $20 million to $10 million, due to the expected repeal mid-year. This new law will officially eliminate this provision entirely by July 1, 2030, allowing any existing carryforward credits under the current law to be utilized until then.

Contention

There is considerable debate surrounding House File 2301, particularly from those advocating for educational reform versus those favoring traditional funding methods through tax credits. Proponents of the repeal argue that the tax credits disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals who can afford private education, therefore exacerbating equity issues within the education system. Critics, however, view this as an erosion of financial support available to families seeking school choice, fearing that this could discourage contributions to educational organizations and diminish educational opportunities for students.