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Level 1
posted Jan 23, 2020 10:51:23 AM

Education Credit IL

Are fees such as registration, electronics (iPad usage/protection) for elementary students considered as qualifying expenses for Illinois education credit? Thank you!

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jan 23, 2020 11:12:20 AM

The tuition would qualify, but the iPad would not, unless you rented it from the school

 

You may figure a credit for qualified education expenses, in excess of $250, you paid during the tax year if

  • you were the parent or legal guardian of a full-time student who was under the age of 21 at the close of the school year,
  • you and your student were Illinois residents when you paid the expenses, and
  • your student attended kindergarten through twelfth grade at a public or nonpublic school in Illinois during the tax year.

See: Who may claim an education expense credit?

 

In general, qualified education expenses are the amounts paid in excess of $250 for tuition, book fees, and lab fees at the school where the student is enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade during the regular school year.

 

Specifically, qualified education expenses include the amount of tuition (including summer school classes required for elementary or secondary graduation requirements). book fees paid for the rental of books that were required as a part of the school’s education program. lab fees paid for the use of supplies, equipment, materials, or instruments that were required as part of a lab course in the school’s education program.

 

For example, if you rented a musical instrument from the school (not from a business) for a class, or for participation in an extracurricular activity that resulted in a credit toward completion of the school’s education program, then this rental expense qualifies as an education expense.

 

See: What are qualified education expenses?

Level 1
Jan 23, 2020 12:33:28 PM

Thanks, Robert! @RobertG