CHICAGO, Ill. (WIFR) – The Illinois Department of Revenue reminds eligible taxpayers to consider claiming back-to-school expenses when filing their taxes.

The Illinois Education Expense Credit allows parents or guardians of full-time students in grades K-12 to receive a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250 this year. Qualified expenses include tuition, book rentals, and lab fees if more than $250 is paid to the school where the student is enrolled full-time.

The total credit must be less than $750, regardless of the number of students. The credit is not available if the taxpayer’s adjusted income exceeds $500,000 on jointly filed returns or $250,000 on all other returns.

According to tax return data, over 200,000 people applied for the Illinois Education Expense Credit in 2023, for an average credit of $322 per application and a total of $65.4 million.

The Grades 1-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit allows K-12 teachers of full-time students to receive a tax credit for qualified instructional materials costs. Teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, and support staff must work at least 900 hours at a qualified school during the school year.

Up to $500 can be claimed for qualified expenses, and if spouses filing jointly are both educators, they can receive a credit of up to $1,000.

According to tax return information, more than 68,500 people claimed the tax credit for classroom materials and supplies in 2023, totaling more than $29.1 million.

For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website.

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