BOISE, Idaho — Speaker of the Idaho House Scott Bedke and House Republican leadership introduced legislation Wednesday to increase the grocery tax credit for every Idahoan.
Bedke said people from across the state have been clamoring for tax relief.
"This would be real tax relief for every man, woman and child living in the state," said Bedke. "Families across Idaho need us to do more to limit the strain taxes put on their budgets. That's exactly what this bill will do."
Currently, every eligible taxpayer and dependent get a grocery tax credit of at least $100. Bedke’s bill would increase that amount to $135.
"By increasing this Idaho tax credit instead of removing sales tax on what the state would determine to be groceries, we avoid creating another layer of bureaucracy by deciding what a 'grocery' is," said Bedke. "This way, Idahoans determine what a grocery is rather than the government deciding for them."
Examples of how the bill would save Idaho families money;
• Taxpayers will be able to purchase $187.50 of groceries per month free of tax for each eligible credit. This is an annual amount of $2,250 of tax-free groceries per family member.
• The credit is fully refundable meaning even those without an income tax liability can file a form to get $135 per eligible taxpayer and dependent from the state.
• A single parent with three children or a married couple with two children will get $750 a month or $9,000 annually in tax free groceries.
• A married couple with three children or a single parent with four children will get $938 per month or $11,250 annually in tax free groceries.
The legislation will also increase the amount senior citizens currently get in grocery tax credit by $20.81 and what individuals/dependents currently get by $48.61, bringing each Idahoan to $135 per refundable credit.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Wednesday voted to clear the way for hearings on a total of four property tax relief measures.
The others are: growth in property taxes would be capped at 3% annually under one bill, and another would impose a one-year freeze on increases.
The fourth measure would require taxing districts to get public approval to hold onto extra money if they collect the maximum allowed but budget less.
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