Tuition Tax Credits (TTCs)
Under this scheme, individuals or corporations receive a tax credit in exchange for giving money to an intermediary organization, often called a “scholarship organization.” Then, the “scholarship organization” writes a check for tuition at a private school. In short, rather than collecting taxes and then giving a portion to a private school (a voucher), the government forgoes those tax dollars so long as they go to a private school (a TTC). The end is the same—money funneled to private schools and away from public schools.
TTCs share the same problems inherent to vouchers; however, TTCs add an extra layer of bureaucracy, making them ripe for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Read More on the “Education Choice for Children Act”:
Talking points on Education Choice for Children Act
Read More on “Education Freedom Scholarships”:
Talking points on Education Freedom Scholarship and Opportunity Act
Education Week: Would Betsy DeVos' Newest School Choice Idea Use 'Public Funds'?
Read More on Waste, Fraud, & Abuse:
NCPE Statement: Applauding IRS for the Final Rule Curtailing Tax Credit Loophole
State Tax Subsidies for Private K-12 Education (2016)
The New York Times: DeVos and Tax Credit Vouchers: Arizona Shows What Can Go Wrong
The American Prospect: How States Turn K-12 Scholarships Into Money-Laundering Schemes
Read More on TTCs generally: