St. Paul, MN – State Representative Will Morgan (DFL – Burnsville) is wishing students well as they kick off the 2014-2015 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.
“The new school year brings new opportunities for students of all ages to succeed in the classroom and beyond, especially when you consider the legislature’s investments in education like statewide all-day Kindergarten, preschool scholarships and a college tuition freeze,” said Morgan. “Closing the achievement gap, enhancing college and career readiness and investing in our youngest learners were all major priorities for me during the past legislative session. In the years ahead, I want to build on that progress – because every single child deserves an opportunity to reach his or her full potential 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, families with Kindergartners enrolled in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Lakeville Public School Districts will save thousands of dollars every year. Moms and dads previously paid over $3,000 in tuition for the full day option.
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. Morgan’s legislative district (56B) attend the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Lakeville and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public School Districts – all of which received significant funding increases for the upcoming school year.
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District: Over $5.8 million in additional funding ($612 more per student)
Lakeville School District: Over $4.9 million in additional funding ($475 more per student)
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District: Over $13.3 million in additional funding ($499 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. Morgan encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions about the legislature’s investments in education. He can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5387, by email at rep.will.morgan@house.mn or by postal mail at 401 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.