Schools

Going Back to School Shopping? Save Your Receipts!

Minnesota has two tax programs that offset the cost of school supplies.

Written by James Warden

Parents and guardians shopping for back-to-school supplies should be sure to save their receipts.

Minnesota has two programs to offset the cost of school supplies. For both programs, parents or guardians must have a “qualifying child” who is attending kindergarten through 12th grade at a public, private or a qualified home school. Parents or guardians also must have paid “qualified education expenses.”

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According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue:

“Generally, most expenses paid for educational instruction or materials qualify, including paper, pens and notebooks; textbooks; rental or purchases of educational equipment such as musical instruments; computer hardware and educational software; after-school tutoring and educational summer camps.”

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“The list of required school supplies continues to grow each year,” a news release quoted Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans. “These supplies are a necessary part of school and saving your receipts now will save you money later.”

Related: School Supply Lists for Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

The K-12 Education Subtraction provides a tax break of up to $1,625 for each qualifying child in grades K-6 and $2,500 for each qualifying child in grades 7-12. The child must attend a school in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Parents can also claim tuition paid for private schools and/or college courses used to satisfy high school graduation requirements. There are no income limits to qualify for the education subtraction

The K-12 Education Credit, which does have income limits, pays up to 75 percent of paid qualifying expenses. The income limits are:

  • 1-2 children: $37,500 
  • 3 children: $39,500
  • 4 children: $41,500 
  • 5 children: $43,500
  • 6 children: $45,500
  • 7 children: $47,500
  • 8 or more children: Add $2,000 for each additional child

Visit the agency’s website for information on how to file and other details.

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