29. The Real Cost of Tax Credits for Homeschoolers’ Educational Expenses (5/98)

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Whereas state and federal governments are proposing tax credits for educational expenses and are trying to convince homeschoolers to support such proposals by including homeschooling expenses; and

Whereas specific expenses such as “educational” expenses qualify for tax credits only if those expenses meet the state’s standards in education, schools qualify only if they are accredited or in some other way approved by the state, tutors qualify only if they are officially licensed, etc.; and

Whereas tax credits are one way for the government to get people to do things the government wants them to do whether or not these things are best for all, or even some of, the people; and

Whereas government accountability strings will affect not just homeschoolers who decide to take the tax credits but will inevitably spread to all homeschoolers as voluntary compliance turns into mandatory requirement; and

Whereas tax credits do not result in significant financial benefit to a family because they are carefully designed to limit the amount of money individuals and families can save or receive; and

Whereas either general tax credits to all families that are not tied to educational expenditures or an increase in the basic tax deduction for children would be much better ways to benefit families while allowing each family to decide where and how to spend money for education;

Be it resolved by members of the Wisconsin Parents Association (WPA) that WPA will continue to work through its members to maintain Wisconsin’s reasonable homeschooling law and will oppose initiatives that would increase state regulation of homeschools in exchange for tax credits; and

Be it further resolved that WPA will work through its members to inform parents and the general public and legislators of the unacceptability and risks of such initiatives. 5/98