WASHINGTON — Congressman Shomari Figures’ new bill aims to give a tax break to families who pay for their children to participate in sports, arts programs or tutoring.
The Affordable Youth Enrichment Opportunities Act, introduced Wednesday, would create a federal tax deduction of up to $5,000 for eligible families who itemize deductions and pay out of pocket for extracurricular activities. The deduction would be limited to those who make between $100,000 to $200,000, depending on filing status.
Figures said a trip back to his old high school inspired him to introduce the legislation after hearing firsthand about the high costs that come with students playing football or other sports.
“Saying that your kid can only play in something that’s as culturally significant in the South as organized sports, such as football, or basketball, that is contingent on your ability to be able to pay $500, 600, or 1,000 bucks, it’s something that a family shouldn’t have to struggle with,” the Mobile Democrat told Alabama Daily News.
The tax deduction could include expenses such as program and registration fees, equipment, and training and instruction costs. It could also cover digital learning platforms and expenses associated with practices, competitions, rehearsals and performances. The bill would apply to all dependent children under the age of 19.
After-school activities can provide structure and long-term benefits for children, and families should be able to afford those endeavors, Figures said. Existing tax credits help pay for childcare or education, but none touch on outside activities.
Since the bill was introduced in June, there is little time left in the year for Congress to act on the new measure. But Figures said he is hopeful that supporting youth programs is something lawmakers can get behind.
“There’s always the opportunity (to pass it), especially with a bill that you can coalesce support around, something that people generally agree with, (that) is as unifying as access to youth athletics, and youth enrichment programs,” he said.
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