The Catholic Morning Show

New $1,700 Tax Credit for Catholic School Tuition – Steve Kane – 08/04/2026

Episode Summary

Steve Kane of the newly formed Iowa Catholic Scholarship Granting Organization joins Bo Bonner to explain how Iowa's four Catholic dioceses are teaming up to help families afford Catholic school tuition through a new federal tax credit. Starting January 2027, donors can receive a 100% federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for gifts that fund scholarships for any of the more than 26,000 students enrolled in Iowa's 67 diocesan Catholic schools. It's a practical, timely look at how the Education Freedom Tax Credit works and what Iowa Catholic families should know before the program launches.

Episode Notes

About This Segment Steve Kane — director of the Our Faith School Tuition Organization and a board member of the new Iowa Catholic Scholarship Granting Organization (ICSGO) — joins host Bo Bonner to explain how Iowa's Catholic bishops are preparing for the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit.

Highlights

• What the Education Freedom Tax Credit is: a 100% federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to an approved scholarship granting organization, part of the Educational Choice for Children Act signed into law in July 2025.
• How the ICSGO will let donors direct gifts to a specific school or diocese, supporting more than 26,000 students across Iowa's 67 diocesan Catholic schools.
• Why the program starts January 1, 2027, with more details expected once the U.S. Treasury Department finalizes its rules this fall.
• How families and donors can get answers now, even before the ICSGO website is live.

Get Involved / Ask a Question The ICSGO website is still being built. For now, reach Steve Kane directly at s.kane@dbqarch.org, or follow updates from the Iowa Catholic Conference, which represents Iowa's Catholic bishops on this initiative.

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