SB 18-083

Senate Bill 18-083, which has been signed into law, provides tax credits for Colorado residents who send their children to private or home schools. If a child attends private school full-time, parents can get a tax credit equal to the tuition paid or half of what the state spends per public school student each year, whichever is less. For part-time private school attendance and homeschooling, different lower amounts apply. This bill benefits families choosing nonpublic education options by reducing their tax burden. Since it's signed, these credits are now available for taxpayers starting from January 1, 2019.

Official Summary

The bill establishes a private school tuition income tax credit commencing on or after January 1, 2019, that allows any taxpayer to claim a credit when the taxpayer enrolls a qualified child in a private school or the taxpayer provides a scholarship to a qualified child for enrollment in a private school. The private school issues the taxpayer a credit certificate and the amount of the credit is: For full-time attendance, an amount equal to either the tuition paid or the scholarship provided to a qualified child, as applicable, or 50% of the previous year's state average per pupil revenues, whichever is less; and For half-time attendance, an amount equal to either the tuition paid or the scholarship provided to a qualified child, as applicable, or 25% of the previous year's state average per pupil revenues, whichever is less. The bill also establishes an income tax credit commencing on or after January 1, 2019, that allows any taxpayer who uses home-based education for a qualified child to claim an income tax credit in an amount equal to: $1,000 for a taxpayer who uses home-based education for a qualified child who was enrolled on a full-time basis in a public school in the state prior to being taught at home; and $500 for a taxpayer who uses home-based education for a qualified child who was enrolled on a half-time basis in a public school in the state prior to being taught at home. Both credits may be carried forward for 3 years but may not be refunded. In addition, the credits may be transferred, subject to certain limitations. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More

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