TESTIMONY TO THE SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE

SB 271 Income Tax Credit - Home Instruction Expenses

POSITION: Oppose

BY:  Susan Cochran, President

DATE: January 29, 2014

The League of Women Voters of Maryland strongly opposes SB271 which would provide for a state income tax credit of up to $1000 per year for home instruction expenses incurred by a parent or guardian.  Allowable expenses include materials or supplies used as part of a home instruction program, correspondence courses or distance learning programs, instruction–related materials, textbooks or workbooks. The credit cannot exceed the parent’s state income tax for the year.  If the full allowed amount cannot be deducted in a given year, the excess may be applied as a credit against the income tax in succeeding years until the excess is depleted or five years after the expense was incurred.

The accompanying fiscal note estimates that this legislation would cause the state to lose $25 million in income tax revenue in FY2015 and up to $26.5 million by FY2019.

The League of Women Voters has opposed public funding for vouchers for private and parochial school, and considers this bill another form of state aid for private education.

We urge the committee to give an unfavorable report to SB271.