Legislation (HB 144) to provide home schooling parents with a tax credit of up to $1,250 per semester and $2,500 per academic year was introduced by Representatives Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus), Carl Ford (R-Wake) Chris Malone (R-Wake) and Jacqueline Shaffer (R-Mecklenburg).
Chris Malone, one of the sponsors of the bill said the legislation is “ a modest but meaningful attempt at offering economic relief to parents who feel home schooling is in the best interest of their children. Not everyone is served best in the public schools and this offers these families some flexibility without being needlessly limited in their personal choices.”
To be eligible for the tax credit, the child must be a dependent and be enrolled for more than 70 days of a semester in a home school that meets the qualifications outlined in the state statutes.
According to the Division of Non-Public Education, in 2011-12 there were slightly less than 80,000 home school students in North Carolina enrolled in approximately 48,000 home schools.
The bill will next be heard in committee.
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