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Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in Idaho

3 statewide programs in Idaho offer education services or help with specific costs. Eligibility and deadlines differ; check the program for your child's age and enrollment route.

By , founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed .

Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit

Idaho Parental Choice offers up to $5,000 per eligible student, or $7,500 with a qualifying disability, for qualifying nonpublic education expenses. The 2026 application period is closed; the next window is January 15 to March 15, 2027, for the 2026 credit or 2027 advance payment.

Eligibility and program rules

  1. Meets full-year residency

    Both you and your eligible children must meet Idaho’s full-year residency requirements and required tax filing.

  2. Provides the four core subjects

    Qualifying tuition or base curriculum must cover English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

  3. Avoids conflicting public enrollment

    Publicly funded school enrollment can make the semester ineligible. The 2026 rules exempt specified noncredit activities, sports, and privately paid IDLA courses.

  4. Checks the advance-payment limit

    An advance is available only within the income limit and is one-time per child; keep receipts for reconciliation.

  5. Do we need one curriculum company?

    No for 2026 and beyond. The official site allows more than one developer, but the base curriculum must cover all four core subjects.

  6. Can we get an advance every year?

    No. It is one-time per student and requires income eligibility and receipts.

  7. Can we claim mileage for homeschool driving?

    No. Transportation is for trips between home and a qualifying nonpublic school, with a mileage log; field trips and sports travel do not qualify.

What it is worth

The credit or advance is limited by qualifying expenses and the student cap.

Without a qualifying disability
Up to $5,000
With a qualifying disability
Up to $7,500

These are limits, not guaranteed awards; the next application is for the 2026 credit or a 2027 advance.

From applying to keeping it

  1. During calendar year 2026

    Track qualifying costs

    Keep paid receipts and documentation of the four core subjects.

  2. Before January 15, 2027

    Prepare TAP access

    Read the updated cycle checklist and complete required Idaho tax filing and TAP registration.

  3. January 15 to March 15, 2027

    Apply in TAP

    Request the 2026 tax credit or 2027 advance payment during the published window.

  4. After an award

    Follow the payment route

    A tax-credit award must be claimed on your Idaho return; an advance requires later expense reconciliation.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Who to contact

Ask about the next cycle, receipts, or your child’s eligibility.

parentalchoice@tax.idaho.gov 208-334-7660 Prepare to apply

Idaho Empowering Parents grant balance

If you already received Empowering Parents funds, you can spend your remaining balance from the original $1,000-per-student award, capped at $3,000 per family. New applications ended when Idaho eliminated the program; your existing funds expire three years after issuance.

Eligibility and program rules

  1. Already holds an award

    Only existing balances remain usable; there are no new grants for 2025-26 or later.

  2. Has unexpired funds

    Check the exact expiration date in ClassWallet.

  3. Uses eligible purchases

    Follow approved marketplace or Direct Pay rules; reimbursements are limited to qualifying home internet.

  4. Can we pay first and request reimbursement?

    Only for eligible home internet purchased on or after July 1, 2024. Other approved purchases use marketplace or Direct Pay.

  5. What if the balance is wrong?

    Contact empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov. The program identifies that address for rollover-balance questions.

From applying to keeping it

  1. Now in 2026

    Check the balance

    Sign into ClassWallet, accept the affidavit, and check the exact grant expiration.

  2. Before purchasing

    Choose the payment method

    Use the marketplace or approved Direct Pay provider; qualifying home internet uses reimbursement.

  3. Within three years of issuance

    Spend eligible funds

    Any unspent amount returns to Idaho after expiration.

  4. 2026, 2027, or 2028

    Watch your grant’s year

    Grants issued in 2023, 2024, and 2025 expire in these years respectively.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Who to contact

Ask about a remaining balance or an expiration date.

empoweringparents@edu.idaho.gov Existing grant guidance

Idaho Public Television homeschool learning resources

Idaho Public Television provides free homeschool videos, games, lesson resources, and activities across PreK-12. You can use the online resources now without an annual grant application, and its education team accepts requests to visit homeschool groups.

Eligibility and program rules

  1. Chooses the right grade section

    Resources are grouped into PreK-2, grades 3-5, and grades 6-12 sections, so start with the one that matches your child.

  2. Requests a group visit separately

    Contact the education team about an in-person resource visit; availability needs confirmation.

  3. Can it repay curriculum purchases?

    No. It provides learning resources and support rather than reimbursement.

From applying to keeping it

  1. Any time in 2026-27

    Browse by grade

    Open the free homeschool resource page.

  2. While planning lessons

    Choose activities

    Follow links to videos, games, printables, and LearningMedia lessons.

  3. Before a group event

    Request a visit

    Ask the education team about dates and suitable resources.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Who to contact

Request resources or ask about a homeschool-group visit.

idahoptv.educate@idahoptv.org 208-373-7220 Homeschool resources

Local help in Idaho

The local programs we have checked across the state cover recreation, college and dual credit, other services, sports and activities, and school services. Each local program sets its own rules for who qualifies. Search your ZIP code to see the ones that serve your address.

Search your ZIP code

The state's homeschool rules

You do not have to file a homeschool notice.

Read the Idaho homeschooling guide

Questions parents ask

Can a homeschool family qualify for Parental Choice?
Yes. You need qualifying purchased instruction or curriculum and the program’s residency and other rules.
Can we claim Parental Choice payment for teaching our own child?
No. Parent-provided academic instruction is excluded.
Where are our old Odyssey funds?
In ClassWallet. The Odyssey marketplace closed October 22, 2024.
What is our remaining Empowering Parents amount?
Check ClassWallet. The original award cap does not tell you your remaining balance.
Does Idaho Public Television have materials for older students?
Yes. The grades 6-12 section includes civics, science, career, and applied math resources.
Can we find Idaho-specific lessons on Idaho Public Television?
Yes. The page links to Idaho history, arts, civics, and other locally focused resources.
Can I use these benefits to pay for TheHomeschoolingCompany?
Only if Idaho Empowering Parents grant balance accepts it as an eligible expense, so ask before you buy. We are not an approved vendor for it. Before you claim Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, check that a curriculum subscription qualifies, and keep the receipts. We have not found an education savings account in Idaho that is open to homeschooled students.

Put eligible funds toward the teaching

Choose a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check your program’s purchasing rules before using funds to pay for it.

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