LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada is opting into a federal program that seeks to expand school choice programs.
Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office on Friday announced the decision to join the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
Created by last year’s larger reconciliation bill, also referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Tax Credit Scholarship Program allows people to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, up to $1,700, for donations made to scholarship-granting organizations, or SGOs.
That means donors can receive a direct credit against their tax liability, as opposed to a standard charitable deduction.
Those organizations then provide scholarships to students and families, who can determine how to spend the money. Scholarship money can go toward private school tuitions, tutoring, special education services or other qualified expenses.
“I enrolled Nevada into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program to empower families with the freedom to choose education options that best fit their children’s needs,” Lombardo said in a statement. “This program marks a historic milestone for parental freedom and economic opportunity.”
Nevada will be responsible for creating the application process for SGOs and submitting an annual list of qualified organizations to the U.S. Treasury Department. Only SGOs on that list will be eligible for contributions that qualify for the tax credit.
To qualify, families must meet eligibility requirements, including a household income at or below 300% of the area median income, and have a child eligible for public elementary or secondary.