It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the middle of August already. Nights are getting shorter, high school sports and activity practices have begun, and the State Fair and Labor Day are just around the corner.
Another sign of late summer are the back to school supplies that fill numerous store shelves. Even during these challenging economic times, school supplies are still an important necessity for most families. As your State Representative, I want to remind parents to save their receipts from school supply purchases made this year. Doing so could qualify them for possible tax credits or subtractions on their 2009 state income tax returns.
There are two tax provisions that help Minnesota families pay expenses related to their child’s kindergarten through 12th grade education: the K-12 education credit and K-12 education subtraction. Both programs reduce the tax parents must pay and could provide a larger refund when filing a 2009 Minnesota Individual Income Tax Return. To qualify, parents must have purchased educational services or required materials during 2009 to assist with their child’s education, and the child must be attending kindergarten through 12th grade at a public, private or home school.
Generally, most expenses paid for educational instruction or materials qualify, including purchasing paper, pens and notebooks; textbooks; rental or purchases of educational equipment such as musical instruments; computer hardware and educational software; after school tutoring and educational summer camps. There are no income restrictions to qualify for the education subtraction and income restrictions only apply to the education credit. For more information about the tax credits and subtraction, please visit the link HERE.
I also want to encourage any high school junior in the district to consider applying for the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program. Created in 1975, the High School Page Program was modeled after a similar program offered in the United States Congress. It is one of just three such programs in the nation to provide young people with an in-depth look into government at the state level. Applications will be accepted beginning in late September through mid-November. For information about the program and when applications are available, please contact my legislative office.
Residents of Rosemount are justifiably proud of the excellent schools of District 196. While current economic times are trying, the administration and school board consistently have done an admirable job of applying fiscally disciplined management practices while at the same time maintaining a stellar reputation for excellent student achievement and extra-curricular performance.
As is the case each year, there is a palpable feeling of excitement that comes with the start of a new school year. This year that sense is enhanced by the recent appointment of Jane Berenz as the new District 196 superintendent. As a student and graduate of ISD 196 schools and a long time teacher, principal and administrator in the district, Jane brings a wealth of experience and community connections to her new position. She replaces John Currie, who during his tenure continued the drive to excellence that characterizes our community’s schools. Please join me in wishing Jane well in her new position, and thanking John for his years of service to our district.
Whether a kindergartner entering school for the first time or a senior looking forward to graduation, the start of a new school year signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers and new schedules. But more so, it brings with it the possibility of unlimited opportunities for every student. Best wishes to each of you for a successful school year!
