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Bill

Bill

HB 2628

Establishing a refundable income tax credit for tuition payments and fees made to postsecondary educational institutions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Alcala and 23 co-sponsors

Kansas bill creates refundable state tax credit for postsecondary tuition and fees, reducing education costs for taxpayers and potentially expanding college affordability.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2628

Legislative bill overview

HB 2628 would create a refundable income tax credit in Kansas for tuition and fees paid to postsecondary educational institutions. This means taxpayers could reduce their state income tax liability based on qualifying education expenses, and if the credit exceeds their tax owed, they would receive the difference as a refund.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects affordability of higher education by making college and university attendance less expensive for Kansas residents. The refundable nature of the credit is significant—it provides assistance even to lower-income students who may owe little or no state income tax, potentially expanding access beyond tax-paying households.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Refundable tax credits reduce state revenue; the bill's cost to the Kansas budget is not yet specified and could be substantial depending on eligibility thresholds and credit amounts
  • Equity questions: The credit's design will determine who benefits most—specifics on income limits, credit amounts, and which institutions qualify (public vs. private, in-state vs. out-of-state) are crucial but not detailed in this early stage
  • Definitional scope: The bill's language about "tuition payments and fees" may create disputes over what qualifies (room and board? books? living expenses?) and how it interacts with other education tax benefits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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