Spread the Word to Families About K-12 Tax Benefits

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, which may include more distance learning due to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Revenue would like your help informing families about two state tax relief programs: The Minnesota K‑12 Education Credit and K-12 Education Subtraction. Many families do not know about, or take advantage of, these valuable tax benefits.

How can I help inform parents?

Visit our K-12 Promotional Materials page to find handouts, sample messages, and our promotional video.

• Distribute the K-12 informational handout to families (also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali)
• Post the sample messages on your social media accounts or school newsletters
• Share the K-12 Education Tax Credit video with families

 

What should families know?

These benefits can reduce families’ income taxes and increase tax refunds if they save receipts for their children’s qualifying education-related expenses.

Most Minnesotans qualify for the K-12 Education Subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. They may also qualify for the K-12 Education Credit under certain income limits. The credit can refund up to 75% of costs, even if no tax is owed.

What education-related expenses qualify?

Many expenses for educational instruction or materials may qualify, including:

• Paper and notebooks
• Pens and pencils
• Nonreligious textbooks
• Rental or purchases of educational equipment, including musical instruments
• Computer hardware (hotspots, modems, and routers) and educational software (up to $200 for the subtraction and $200 for the credit)
• After-school tutoring and educational summer camps taught by a qualified instructor

Questions?

If you have questions or need more information, contact us:

• Meiko Yang: Meiko.Ma.Yang@state.mn.us or 651-556-6613
• Mathias Simon: Mathias.Simon@state.mn.us or 651-556-6616
• Denise Rivera: Denise.Rivera@state.mn.us or 651-556-6496

• 2020 K-12 Promo Cover Letter to Schools.docx