Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) this week introduced new legislation—the Education Achievement and Opportunity Act of 2022 (HR 9320)—to make quality education from kindergarten through high school more affordable by providing critical tax relief to parents of schoolchildren.
Smith’s bill would provide a tax credit of up to $10,000 per child to pay tuition and fees for enrollment in Jewish, parochial, public, charter, private and religious schools. Up to $1,500 of the authorized assistance can be used for computers, educational software, books, tutoring, special needs services, transportation and academic testing services at any public or private school.
“Now more than ever, we must empower parents—the primary educators of children—with the ability to choose and afford the school system that will help their children grow and thrive,” said Rep. Smith.
“This critical legislation will help ease the financial burden that parents face in securing a quality education for their kids and provide them with more flexibility to ensure they can make the best decision for their child’s education,” said Smith, who is also a cosponsor of the Educational Choice for Children Act (HR 8137).
Like Smith’s bill, the Educational Choice for Children Act is aimed at expanding education freedom and opportunity to ensure parents can place their children in programs that are right for them. Specifically, HR 8137 would provide tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate funds for scholarships that families can use to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education.
Similarly, the tax credit created by Smith’s legislation would be available for parents with children attending public, charter, private or parochial schools through the end of high school.
“Our public school system was created to serve students,” said Smith, “not the other way around. Parents should have the opportunity to enroll their kids in the educational setting that is most suited for their child’s individual needs.”
“Throughout our district and across our country, Catholic schools are closing because costs are climbing far too high, especially as we face record-high levels of inflation,” said Smith. “This legislation will go a long way toward ensuring parents of all faiths can afford beneficial faith-based schooling options for their kids.”
A parent earning less than $75,000 per year or a couple earning $150,000 jointly would be eligible for the full tax credit, which would begin to decrease by $50 for every $1,000 earned beyond the income threshold.
Appreciate the effort, but this legislation will never pass, the teachers unions will fight tooth and nail against it.
he has 48 co sponsors now. once the new congress is sworn in, he should be able to get a majority. Senate, not so easy but not impossible. Presidential veto?
Who pays 50,000 to the state for taxes, if you have 5 children
I’m not sure how many people this would actually benefit in Lakewood itself
the families that subsidize reduced tuition pay that kind of money in state taxes. Two parents who are registered nurses for example will easily make 350,000 combined income, of which almost 50,000 would go to New Jersey taxes.
if so many working families are getting the benefit and paying full tuition, that takes the burden off of the other parents with low incomes – it also means the the donors with their own tuition bills will be able to afford more
This will be HUGE!!! Thank you Mr Smith for the initiative, I’m glad I voted for you.
This is a pleasant surprise!
Finally, private religious school parents will be able to benefit from all the taxes we have been paying for public school children!
IF this passes.
Smith is a very savvy politician, and he may actually have the sway to get this to pass!
Smith hold the record in congress for the most bills he sponsored ended up passing
Watch out for what you pray for….wait a bit And then the rules will be that your children need to be in accredited school which teaches XYZ and CRT woke agendas ,Exactly what’s happening in New York right now once you’re on it’s very hard to ween off the funding….. For me I’d rather carry my own bag as heavy as it is