Vacationland Times

State Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery) recently introduced the Strategic Tax Options for Raising Kids (STORK) Act to provide tax relief for Ohio’s young families and expectant mothers.

The STORK Act aims to alleviate financial pressure on Ohio’s young expectant families by allowing parents to claim their children as dependents on Ohio income tax filings beginning in the year they were conceived, rather than the year they were born. According to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of giving birth in the U.S. in 2022 was $18,856. Even for those enrolled in large group healthcare plans, average out-of-pocket costs were still $2,854. Additionally, numerous expenses incurred by expectant mothers beforehand can be eased through this proposed tax break.

“Any parent can tell you that the costs of child-rearing begin piling up well before a baby is born. We should absolutely be in the practice of supporting young families. Passing this bill will be an easy step in that direction,” said Click.

The legislation awaits a bill number and committee assignment in the coming weeks.