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School Readiness Tax Credit Requirements for Teachers and Directors
Here’s great news for directors and teachers at Louisiana’s Quality Start Child Care Centers. If your center is participating in Quality Start, then you are eligible to apply for the SRTC. Eligible teachers and directors must meet all of the educational requirements (Level I – IV) and must have worked at least 6 months of the calendar year at the same child care center.
In order to claim this credit you will have to file a federal and state income tax return, even if you do not owe any taxes. On or before January 31st of each year, you will receive a certificate from the Department of Children and Family Services that states the level of training and education you have achieved (Level I-IV). You must submit or maintain the certificate as required by the Secretary of the Department of Revenue in subsequent forms and instructions.
| SRTC Levels (requirements for each of the four levels can be found on the Quality Start Staff Qualification Levels page | Amount of Refundable School Readiness Tax Credit for 2012 |
| Director I | $1,573 |
| Director II | $2,097 |
| Director III | $2,621 |
| Director IV | $3,146 |
| Child Care Teacher I | $1,573 |
| Child Care Teacher II | $2,097 |
| Child Care Teacher III | $2,621 |
| Child Care Teacher IV | $3,146 |