St. Paul, MN – State Representative Tim Faust (DFL – Hinckley) is wishing students well as they kick off the new school year and reminding families about tax credits for school supplies and significant funding increases for their local schools districts. In addition, all-day Kindergarten is available for every child free of charge for the first time in state history and college students are benefiting from the second year of a tuition freeze at state colleges and universities.
“I wish the very best for all of our kids, parents and teachers in the new school year,” said Faust. “I’m especially excited that all of our local schools are receiving significant funding boosts that are tied to strong achievement standards. That helps to make sure taxpayers are receiving the most bang for their buck. I believe that investing in our students is the best investment we can make.”
Major highlights for the upcoming school year include:
ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERY CHILD - For the first time in state history, all-day Kindergarten is available for every child free of charge. As a result, many families living in school districts that charged tuition for a full-day option will save thousands of dollars.
TAX CREDITS FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES - Minnesota offers two programs to help moms and dads pay for their children’s education expenses. The K-12 Education Subtraction and the K-12 Education Credit can lower the tax you pay or increase your refund when filing your Minnesota income tax return. You may qualify for the K-12 subtraction, the K-12 credit, or both if you save your receipts.
Common expenses that qualify include school supplies such as pencils, paper and calculators, educational computer hardware and software, extracurricular academic or fine arts classes such as dance, music lessons, art and science, and tutoring for subjects needed for K-12 classes taught by a qualified instruction.
The K-12 subtraction lets you subtract qualifying educational expenses from your taxable income when you file a Minnesota income tax return. You may subtract up to $1,625 in education expenses for each child in grades kindergarten through 6, and $2,500 for each child in grades 7 through 12. There is no income limit to qualify for the education subtraction, and you may qualify regardless of your filing status.
The K-12 credit reduces your state income tax or increases your refund. If you meet certain income requirements, you may claim this credit on your Minnesota income tax return for up to 75 percent of qualifying educational expenses. You may claim this credit and receive a refund even if you don’t owe income tax for the year.
*Click here to open a brochure with more information from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
FUNDING INCREASES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS – Most students in Rep. Faust’s legislative district (11B) attend the Pine City, Hinckley-Finlayson, East Central, Willow River and Braham Public School Districts – all of which received significant funding increases for the upcoming school year.
Pine City School District: Over $862,000 in additional funding ($511 more per student).
Hinckley-Finlayson School District: Over $668,000 in additional funding ($695 more per student).
East Central School District: Over $599,000 in additional funding ($799 more per student).
Willow River School District: Over $291,000 in additional funding ($700 more per student).
Braham School District: Over $455,000 in additional funding ($531 more per student).
HOT LUNCHES FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS - A report from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid published earlier this year found that some Minnesota school districts denied hot lunch to low-income students who had insufficient funds in their lunch accounts. In response, the legislature unanimously increased funding for the school lunch program to ensure no child is ever denied a hot lunch due to the inability to pay.
TUITION FREEZE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS - The legislature froze tuition for two years for Minnesota residents earning an undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. Tuition had more than doubled over the previous decade before the tuition freeze went into effect last year. State lawmakers also made the largest investment in state financial aid in over a decade to help more students pay for a post-secondary degree.
Rep. Faust encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about the legislature’s investments in education. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0518 or toll-free at 800-704-8185, by email at rep.tim.faust@house.mn or by postal mail at 567 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.