Reform of Education Tax Credit Provisions: Policy Considerations to Improve and Simply Benefits

Abstract

This paper examines current law on the existing federal education tax credits and deductions used to pay post-secondary education costs as well as some of these reform proposals, including the 2005 Advisory Panel and 2010 National Commission’s recommendations as they relate to post-secondary education costs, as a basis for preparing tax reform recommendations to simplify the various education tax benefits. In addition, the authors propose a tax refund application that will assist taxpayers in repaying their federal student loans.