ST. PAUL – A provision Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, authored to extend education-related tax credits passed the House as part of an omnibus tax bill (H.F. 848) Wednesday.
Knoblach's legislation (H.F. 798) extends tax credits for public, private and home-schooled students to include tuition. The deduction and credit amounts would increase and the income qualification would be adjusted for inflation.
This proposal expands upon credits which currently apply to expenses for things such as books, school supplies, tutoring, academic extracurricular activity fees, computer software, and other school related expenses.
"The inflation adjustments will make many more families in the lower- and middle-income ranges eligible to capitalize on these benefits, which would be worth up to $1,500 per child." Knoblach said. "I have discussed this proposal with Gov. Mark Dayton and, while there are some differences to resolve in what we envision, he has expressed interest in making this happen."
The omnibus tax bill now is in the hands of a joint House-Senate conference committee, which will work to resolve differences in proposals from the respective bodies.
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