ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Child care has always been a major hot topic and recently, some action taken at the state level is meant to help with that.
Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced the signing of Senate Bill 82, which expands access to tax credits for employer expenses for child care and contributions to third parties that expand the availability of community child care. The bill also creates income tax credits for the sale of higher-ethanol blends of fuels and the purchase of lockable gun and ammunition storage, according to a release from the State of Kansas.
“Throughout my administration, I have strived to make Kansas a place where people want to put down roots. Senate Bill 82 helps strengthen child care access while ensuring our economy remains healthy and thriving – making our state more appealing to workers, employers, and families alike,” Gov. Kelly noted in the State of Kansas release. “This is smart, commonsense legislation that will make our state stronger. Senate Bill 82 modifies credit percentages, allowable credit amounts, and eligible expenses for the existing child care assistance tax credit that provides a credit to employers who provide child care services to their employees. Businesses that pay for their employees’ child care services, establish or expand a child care program utilized by employees, or pay for referral services that connect employees to child care providers would now be eligible to receive a tax credit of 75% of the total amount the business expends on these services. “
In addition, the State of Kansas release noted, the bill would also allow businesses to receive an additional credit for donations made to organizations that expand access to child care services in the business’s community. Under these modernized tax credits, businesses could claim up to $100,000 in non-refundable credits per tax year and carry over any unused credit for up to three years.
“Access to quality, affordable childcare is a hurdle for both employers and employees. I’m proud of the Legislature’s work to simplify and modernize the child care assistance tax credit,” Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi noted in the State of Kansas release. “These improvements allow employers to invest more broadly in their communities to ensure our workforce remains strong.”
“Access to high‐quality child care is essential for Kansas children, families, and our state’s economy. Kansas businesses want to be part of the solution and this bill streamlining the business tax credit for child care will make that more feasible,” David Jordan, President of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, noted in the State of Kansas release. “Thanks to Governor Kelly and the Legislature for taking this important step to stimulate business investments in the early childhood system. It will benefit Kansas families and our economy.”
