Whereas, the 90-day period may not terminate until well after the beginning of the next school year; and

Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect immediately to allow adequate time for parents of homeschoolers to prepare for the next school term; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §5219-U is enacted to read:

§5219-U.__Credit for educational materials

1.__Credit allowed.__A taxpayer is allowed a credit against the tax imposed under this Part for expenses for educational materials including books, educational software and other materials used in teaching a child approved for equivalent instruction pursuant to Title 20-A, section 5001-A, subsection 3, paragraph A, subparagraph (3).

2.__Limitation.__The amount of the credit allowable under this section for any one taxable year may not exceed the actual expense incurred as shown on saved register or proof-of-purchase receipts, up to the following:

A.__Four hundred dollars per child; or

B.__One thousand dollars per family.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a tax credit for a taxpayer of home-schooled children for certain expenses incurred in the purchase of educational material. The credit is limited to $400 per child or $1,000 per family.