Ohio tax deduction for homeschooling

[Oddball684]

I live in Ohio and have two dependent kids that both are going through a homeschooling program since the COVID issue began. Where on my Ohio state tax return can I add that deduction?

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

On the screen titled "Take a look at Ohio Credits and Taxes", scrool down to:

-Personal Home and Family Credits

  -Home School Expenses Credit

Click start and follow the interview.

It goes on line 14 of the Ohio Schedule of Credits.  This credit is new for 2021. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

To qualify for this credit, you must pay for
“educational expenses” for your dependent
who is home schooled. The credit equals
the lesser of $250 or the amount you paid
for educational expenses.
“Educational expenses” include any of the
following used in home school instruction:
● Books and subscriptions;
● School supplies and supplementary
materials;
● Computer software and applications.
“Educational expenses” does not include
expenses or fees for computers or similar
electronic devices or accessories.
Important: Expenses for dependents who attended school remotely due to the COVID-19
pandemic are not eligible for this credit.
See R.C. 5747.72. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5747.72

[danthetaxman2]

On the input screen, it says "include copies of all required documentation".  Is that required? I don't see that in the official Ohio instructions. Thanks for your help on this.

[Hal_Al]

I don't know.  The Ohio instructions, for that credit, conclude with "See R.C. 5747.72", which says:

"The tax commissioner may request that a qualifying taxpayer claiming a credit under this section furnish information as is necessary to support the claim for the credit under this section, and no credit shall be allowed unless the requested information is provided".

I take that to mean, you don't provide it unless they ask for it. I don't think ODT wants to have to process that extra paper work.  I would not send anything, especially if you are e-filing.