A bill for an act relating to resident dependents not enrolled in a public school or receiving an educational savings account payment by creating an opportunity tax credit available against the individual income tax, creating a fund, making appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.
HF 2078 creates an opportunity tax credit of $4,000 per eligible dependent for Iowa taxpayers whose children are not enrolled in public school or receiving an educational savings account (ESA) payment. It directly affects parents or guardians of dependents who meet specific criteria, such as having attended public school for at least one semester, being eligible for kindergarten, or previously receiving an ESA payment. The credit is refundable, can be claimed on tax returns or requested as an advance payment from a newly created state fund, and requires the Department of Revenue to verify enrollment status with the Department of Education. The bill applies retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and mandates annual reports starting in 2028 detailing claims and potential fraud.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 15, 2026
Last action Feb 18, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Feb 18, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Feb 12, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 02/18/2026 8:00AM RM 19.
legislature
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Fett, Gehlbach and Matson.
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Education.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Samantha Fett
RRepublican
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