Minnesota

K–12 Education Credit

  • Individual Tax Credit/Deduction
  • Enacted 1997
  • Launched 1998

Minnesota provides a refundable tax credit covering educational expenses—including tutoring, educational after-school programs, and books—for resident students in any public, private or home school, including schools located in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa or Wisconsin. Learn more about this program, including the value of the tax credit, and student eligibility on this page. 

We do not administer this program.

Eligibility Test Apply State Groups

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  • 18,191

    Participating Taxpayers (2022)

  • 33%

    of Families with Children Income-eligible Statewide

  • $287

    Average Tax Credit Value (2022)

  • 2%

    Value as a Percentage of Public School Per-student Spending

Minnesota’s K–12 Education Credit Participation

Tax Returns Claiming Credit
Tax Year
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Student Funding

The tax credit is worth 75 percent of the amount spent on educational expenses other than tuition. The maximum credit amount that a family may claim is equal to $1,500 per child in the family. The tax credit reduces the family’s total tax liability and covers books, tutors, academic after-school programs, and other non-tuition educational expenses.  

The refundable tax credit is phased out for taxpayers who earn more than $70,000. For families with one child, the maximum allowable credit is reduced by $1 for every $4 of income above $70,000, and the family may not claim the credit at all if its income is above $76,000. For families with two or more children, the maximum allowable credit is reduced by $2 for every $4 of income above $70,000, and, again, the family may not claim the credit if its income is above $76,000. For families with more than two children, the phase-out is still $2 for every $4 of income above $70,000, but the $76,000 income ceiling is raised by $3,000 for each child after the first two. For example, a family with four children may not claim the credit if its income is more than $82,000. The household income limits are adjusted to keep pace with inflation each year. 

(Last updated December 18, 2023) 

Student Eligibility

Parents must meet the abovementioned income restrictions to claim the credit. Also, parents must be tax filers and have proof of eligible expenses. 

(Last updated December 18, 2023) 

EdChoice Expert Feedback

Minnesota’s Education Credit is plagued by complexities that make it difficult for the average taxpayer to utilize. A more streamlined program with universal eligibility would greatly enhance this program. Although this credit covers education expenses outside tuition, for both public and private schools, those expenses are usually a fraction of what tuition costs and prohibit religious instruction. Purchasing power is low. This program should boost funding by allowing private school tuition to be counted toward the credit. Moving toward a model more like Oklahoma’s refundable tax credit for educational expenses would be of great benefit to families using this program.  

(Last updated December 18, 2023) 

Rules and Regulations

  • Income Limit: Conditional ($70,000 or $76,000 and an additional $3,000 per child)
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement: None
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide
  • Enrollment Cap: None
  • Individual Credit Cap: $1,500/child
  • Testing Mandates: None

Parent Requirements:

  • Must ensure filing status is not married filing separate
  • May not include private school tuition as an expense

(Last updated December 18, 2023) 

Governing Statutes

Minn. Stat. § 290.0674

(Last updated December 18, 2023)