Potential Tax Credit for Tech Training

WASHINGTON -- A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week would allow employers and workers a tax credit of up to $2500 for IT-related training for a wide range of jobs.

The Technology Retraining and Investment Now Act for the 21st Century, or TRAIN Act, would allow workers or employers to take a tax credit of up to half of a qualified $4000 IT training program. The bill would allow a tax credit of up to $2500 for small businesses and businesses or workers in rural or economically depressed areas. The tax credit covers course costs, including textbooks and other materials.

The tax credit would go to whoever paid for the training, either the employer or the worker. The legislation was introduced on November 15 by Representatives Jerry Weller (R-Illinois) and Mike Honda (D-California).

Advisory Board Would Approve Training

The bill would establish an advisory board that would approve a list of IT certifications and college courses that qualify for the tax credit and set guidelines to approve training providers.

No spokesperson for Weller was immediately available for comment Tuesday, but Weller talked about the need for an IT training tax credit when he introduced similar legislation in May 2004.

"Investment in computer education and information technology skills training is the best long-term solution to...keep technology-based jobs here in the United States," Weller said then. "This initiative will train U.S. workers for better jobs here in the United States."