Shopping for Back-to-School Supplies? Save Your 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.”

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.”

“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: Visit the STMA Schools website and school webpages for school supply lists.

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.