HB 2469 expands a tax credit for railroad track maintenance in Kansas, allowing eligible businesses to apply the credit against income tax, premium taxes, or privilege fees - not just income tax as before. It directly affects class II/III railroads and rail siding owners (eligible taxpayers), as well as their customers (e.g., businesses using short-line rail) and vendors (e.g., maintenance service providers). Unused credits can be transferred to other businesses paying those specific taxes within five years, with a cap of $5,000 per mile of track or $5,000 per rail siding annually, and a total annual limit of $8.72 million. The bill changes how these credits are applied and shared, making them more flexible for qualifying rail-related businesses.
SB 378 would provide a one-time $250 property tax credit against vehicle registration fees for eligible vehicles during Kansas' fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It directly affects owners of buses, motorcycles, passenger vehicles, RVs, trailers, and trucks that pay property tax on these vehicles under Kansas law. The credit applies when registering or renewing a vehicle but is nonrefundable if it exceeds the tax owed. Funds for the credit would come from the state’s budget stabilization fund, administered by the Department of Revenue.
HB 2464 extends the deadline for claiming tax credits related to aerospace and aviation education programs in Kansas. It directly affects graduates of these programs and employers who hire them, allowing new credits to be issued or earned until December 31, 2036 - previously ending in 2026. The bill amends Kansas tax law (K.S.A. 79-32,295) to change the expiration date for these credits and repeals the prior deadline provision. This policy change provides continued financial incentives for employers and educational institutions in the aerospace and aviation sectors.
Kansas would join a federal tax credit program allowing individual taxpayers to deduct contributions to scholarship organizations supporting low-income students. The bill increases the tax credit percentage from 70% to 75% for contributions made after 2022 and raises the state's annual credit limit from $10 million to $20 million (with a potential maximum of $30 million). If credits claimed approach 75% of the annual limit, the cap automatically increases for the next year. This directly affects Kansas residents who donate to qualifying scholarship organizations, providing a larger tax incentive for such contributions.
SB 386 allows Kansas taxpayers to claim a state tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that serve low-income students. It increases the credit rate from 70% to 75% of contributions for tax years after 2022 and raises the annual spending cap from $10 million to $20 million (with a potential maximum of $30 million). The bill also establishes a mechanism to automatically increase the cap by 25% if 75% of the current cap is reached in a given year. This directly affects donors - such as businesses, banks, and individuals - who contribute to eligible scholarship organizations in Kansas.
HB 2235 integrates the Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions (TEFFI) Act into Kansas’ state banking code, directly affecting TEFFIs - digital financial institutions managing alternative assets like private equity funds. Key changes include reducing TEFFI charter application fees, requiring reports to the state bank commissioner, allowing digital certificates for asset ownership, and expanding the TEFFI income tax credit to include Kansas nonprofit corporations as qualified charities. The bill clarifies definitions for terms like "alternative asset custody account" and specifies that TEFFIs will be supervised by the state bank commissioner. These provisions aim to modernize regulatory oversight while streamlining operations for TEFFIs and supporting charitable giving through tax incentives.
HB 2097 creates a tax credit for Kansas landowners who manage property to support endangered species habitat. It allows credits against income tax for both property taxes paid on qualifying land and costs for habitat improvements, provided the land is designated as critical habitat by the Department of Wildlife and Parks and meets specific conservation standards. The bill requires the department to approve management plans and maintain a public website listing qualified programs. Landowners must submit annual requests by July 1 to qualify for the credit, which applies to properties enrolled in approved habitat conservation plans. The credit is limited to the taxpayer's income tax liability and cannot exceed state tax law limits.
HB 2136 expands eligibility for Kansas' tax credit scholarship program by removing the requirement that students must have previously attended a public school. It increases the tax credit amount for donations to the program and adds new limits on total credits. The bill directly affects low-income students (including those in foster care, military families, or with first-responder parents) and donors who contribute to scholarship organizations. This change allows more students to access private school scholarships through tax-credit donations, without the prior public school enrollment barrier.
HB 2058 increases the income threshold for Kansas seniors to qualify for the Selective Assistance for Effective Senior Relief (SAFESR) tax credit. It raises the limit from the previous 120% of the federal poverty level to $28,000 in household income for tax years 2025 and beyond, with future annual increases tied to the federal cost-of-living adjustment. The credit allows eligible seniors aged 65+ who own their primary residence to claim 75% of their property taxes paid, up to the credit limit. This directly affects low-income senior homeowners who meet the new income requirement, replacing the prior eligibility standard. The bill amends Kansas tax law to implement this change, effective January 2025.
SB 75 creates an income tax credit for Kansas taxpayers with dependent children enrolled in private schools instead of public school. It provides $8,000 per child for accredited private schools or $4,000 for non-accredited private schools, directly affecting families choosing private education. The credit is capped at $125 million for 2025, with annual adjustments based on prior year usage, and prioritizes taxpayers who received the credit previously. Taxpayers must provide Social Security numbers for children and cannot claim the credit if their child received a scholarship under another program. Excess credit amounts are refunded if they exceed tax liability.
