5/14/2001 -- On May 10, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that would offer individuals and employers up to $2,000 in tax credits for IT training expenses.

Called the Technology Education and Training Act (TETA), or H.R. 1769, the bill is similar to one introduced in the Senate two weeks ago. According to the Technology Workforce Coalition, an organization lobbying for the legislation, the goal of the act is to ease the IT worker shortage by upping the number of trained IT professionals.

According to the TWC, the Act:

• Provides a tax credit of up to $1,500 for IT training expenses paid by employers.
• Amends the HOPE and Lifetime Learning tax credits so that individuals can better access IT training courses at all available institutions and training centers.
• Allows tax credits of up to $2,000 for small businesses, as well as for people residing in and companies operating in empowerment zones and other qualified areas.

The bill was introduced by Reps Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) and James Moran (D-Va.).

Similar legislation has been introduced in several states. For more information about the TWC and this bill, click here. -B.N.