Why isn't there a tax deduction for homeschooling?

Question

or for any private school for that matter.

we are not useing the money used for each student in a public school so why don't we get that money back?

Answer 1

Because no one has made it a law.

Answer 2

Because we don't have powerful lobbyists that spend millions of dollars courting the system, unlike some programs.

More money won't fix the public school system, unfortunately, fiscal responsibility would. After all, paying the superintendent millions of dollars as well as building multimillion dollar bureaucratic office buildings is what is bringing down the PS system, a great deal of 'student' money never reaches the classrooms.

Answer 3

I would rather they keep that money. There is enough regulation here in NY. We sure do not need any more.

Answer 4

They are working on it in La! But with tax breaks may come more regulations on home school. It may be a give and take situation.

Answer 5

In two states, there is a state tax credit for education expenses (public, private, or HS).  I live in one of them and it's a great benefit!

People who don't have kids still pay into the public school system as families who homeschool do.  I'm not clear on how my new state's school funding works, but in my former state, every property owner paid a certain part for the public schools.  Then each public school received a LOT more money from the state (general fund) for each child it had enrolled on "count day" (which was Sept 20th).

It's just another tax just like taxes to your park district, fire department, cemetary district, etc.

BTW, our state income tax credit was $257 last year and $354 this year - not too bad.

Answer 6

same reason why people who don't even have children pay taxes that go to the public schools. The public school system is crappy enough. Don't take away what little they actually have to work with. And to compensate, in many counties the publics chools allow homeschoolers to use their fascilities for co-op classes or participate in extracurricular activities or use their playgrounds, so it kind of evens out.

Answer 7

Because you do not have any over head.

Answer 8

Most homeschoolers are opposed to tax breaks.  Government money brings government strings.  I would rather just pay out of pocket and have the government leave me alone.

Answer 9

As has been said, whether you have kids or not, you pay the education tax. Just like if you use the library or not, use roads or not, use any other government-funded thing or not, you still have to pay the taxes. They're not going to give you a tax credit because you don't use the library! No different than schools.