Panel advances revised grocery tax credit to second reading after debate over itemized option and distribution

The Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee on Feb. 13 voted to introduce RS 32,379 — a revised version of House Bill 61 — that would raise the state's per-person grocery tax credit from $120 to $155 and preserve an itemized option allowing claims up to $250, sponsor Representative Jason Monks said.

The change was introduced after Monks said the revised statute language adds the word "retail" before "seller" in several places to address concerns from food processors and to clarify which sales are affected. Committee members held HB 61 in committee and approved introducing RS 32,379 and recommending it to the second-reading calendar for further consideration.

Why it matters: The measure would increase the refundable grocery tax credit available to individual Idaho taxpayers, affecting households across the state while maintaining a mechanism for taxpayers with larger grocery spending to itemize receipts. Supporters argued the approach returns sales-tax revenue to Idaho residents while preserving stable sales-tax revenue from tourists and out-of-state visitors. Opponents and some committee members pressed for larger relief and questioned administrative burdens for taxpayers and the Idaho State Tax Commission.

Sponsor explanation and bill details Representative Jason Monks, sponsor of House Bill 61 and co-sponsor of the RS, told the…