Bill considers extending, expanding tax cuts for employee training

The House Taxation Committee heard testimony Thursday on a bill that would extend and expand tax cuts to Montana employers that pay for training and education for their employees in certain trades. Supporters say the Montana Trades Education and Training tax credit – or MTECH – helps address Montana’s labor shortage of skilled trade workers.

Rep. Sue Vinton, R-Yellowstone County, is sponsoring House Bill 245. She says it’s an extension of a program passed in 2021 that has had a high demand since the last session. 

The bill would give employers a tax credit to cover 50% of the training costs up to $2,000 per employee yearly. Employers could earn up to $25,000 in tax credits per year.