Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit Deadline Nears

Parents have until March 15 to apply for state program that provides refundable credits for nonpublic school expenses.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Idaho State Tax Commission is reminding parents that the deadline to apply for the state's Parental Choice Tax Credit program is March 15. The program provides refundable tax credits to help cover eligible nonpublic school expenses, and as of early March, the Tax Commission had received over 6,400 applications covering more than 11,800 students.

Why it matters

The Parental Choice Tax Credit program is an important initiative in Idaho to help families afford alternative educational options outside the public school system. With nearly $50 million in state funding available, the program aims to increase access to private, charter, and homeschool opportunities for students.

The details

Parents must submit their applications for the Parental Choice Tax Credit by 11:59 p.m. on March 15. The Tax Commission will notify applicants of approval decisions by April 15, which is also the deadline for filing 2025 state income tax returns. Taxpayers can request an automatic extension if they pay enough of their taxes by April 15, or they can file their return without claiming the credit and later submit an amended return if the credit is approved.

  • The application deadline for the Parental Choice Tax Credit program is March 15, 2026.
  • The Tax Commission will notify applicants of approval decisions by April 15, 2026.

The players

Idaho State Tax Commission

The state agency responsible for administering the Parental Choice Tax Credit program and processing applications.

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What’s next

The Tax Commission will review all applications submitted by the March 15 deadline and notify parents of approval decisions by April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Parental Choice Tax Credit program provides an important financial incentive for Idaho families to explore educational options outside the public school system. With the application deadline approaching, the Tax Commission is encouraging all eligible parents to submit their applications before the March 15 cutoff.