St. Paul, MN – State Representative Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township) 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 want to wish all of our youngsters, their parents and teachers the very best in the new school year,” said Anzelc. “I’ll be rooting for you to succeed in the classroom, on your sports teams and at your extracurricular activities. Every community in northern Minnesota is proud to support you as you learn, grow and contribute to our great state.”
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 – Every school district in Rep. Anzelc’s legislative district (5B) received a significant funding increase for the upcoming school year.
Grand Rapids School District: Over $4.6 million in additional funding ($1,174 more per student)
Greenway School District: Over $920,000 in additional funding ($868 more per student)
Pine River-Backus School District: Over $704,000 in additional funding ($807 more per student)
Deer River School District: Over $763,000 in additional funding ($841 more per student)
Northland Community School District: Over $221,000 in additional funding ($672 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, including Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids. 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. Anzelc encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about the legislature’s investments in education. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4936 or toll-free at 800-336-9124, by email at rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn or by postal mail at 517 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.