SAINT PAUL, MN – Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, introduced a bill on Tuesday to expand the current tax credit for K-12 education expenses, including expanding the tax credit to include tuition (HF153.) Rep. Robbins was instrumental in getting this tax credit/deduction passed back in 1997 and the amounts have not been increased since 2001.
HF153 increases the tax deduction for qualifying expenses from $1,625 to $2,600 per student in grades K-6 and from $2,500 to $3,900 for students in grades 7 through 12.
“COVID-19 and distance learning created an enormous challenge for Minnesota families this year, both academically and financially,” said Rep. Robbins. “An increase in the amount of the K-12 education tax credit/deduction is long overdue and will help families who incurred extra expenses for tutoring, supplies, and technology while students learned from home.”
The pandemic also illustrated the need for greater parent choice in education. Non-public schools demonstrated that students could continue in-person learning safely. Online schools, which differ substantially from “distance learning” models, offered parents important options to meet the needs of their children.
“Parents need to have more control over their child’s education,” noted Rep. Robbins. “They know their children best and understand what learning environment is most effective for each student. By including tuition in the tax credit, we are giving children from lower income households the same opportunities as students from more affluent households to ensure fair and equitable education for all children in Minnesota.”