I Teach Act of 2015

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax incentive to individuals teaching in public elementary and secondary schools located in rural or high unemployment areas and to individuals who achieve certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Incentives to Educate American Children Act of 2015 I Teach Act of 2015 2. Refundable tax credit for individuals teaching in public elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas and certified teachers (a) In general Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 36C. Tax credit for individuals teaching in elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas and certified teachers (a) Allowance of credit In the case of an eligible teacher, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable amount for the eligible academic year ending during such taxable year. (b) Applicable amount For purposes of this section— (1) Teachers in schools in rural areas or schools with high poverty (A) In general In the case of an eligible teacher who performs services in a public kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school described in subparagraph (B) during the eligible academic year, the applicable amount is $1,000. (B) School described A public kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school is described in this subparagraph if— (i) at least 75 percent of the students attending such kindergarten or school receive free or reduced-cost lunches under the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (ii) such kindergarten or school has a school locale code of 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary of Education. (2) Certified teachers In the case of an eligible teacher who is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for the eligible academic year, the applicable amount is $1,000. (3) Certified teachers in schools in rural areas or schools with high poverty In the case of an eligible teacher described in both paragraphs (1) and (2), the applicable amount is $2,000. (c) Eligible teacher For purposes of this section, the term eligible teacher (d) Additional definitions For purposes of this section— (1) Elementary and secondary schools The terms elementary school secondary school Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (2) Eligible academic year The term eligible academic year (3) Public kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school The term public kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school (A) a public kindergarten, or a public elementary school or secondary school, of a State (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965), or (B) an elementary school or secondary school operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting , 36C 36B (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 Sec. 36C. Tax credit for individuals teaching in public elementary and secondary schools located in high poverty or rural areas and certified teachers. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to academic years ending in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

Summary: Incentives to Educate American Children Act of 2015 or the I Teach Act of 2015 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a refundable tax credit of $1,000 for: (1) teachers in public kindergartens or elementary or secondary schools or elementary or secondary schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education in rural areas or areas with high poverty, and (2) teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Increases such credit to $2,000 for a teacher meeting both requirements.