Tax Benefits for Enrolling in an Online Private School

Several states have K–12 private school education tax benefits, deductions, or refund programs. Please keep the following in mind:

1. Enlightium Academy is considered a private school, not a homeschool.
2. Enlightium Academy is accredited, an important distinction for several states in filing for tax benefits. Being accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International is a stamp of approval for regional and worldwide recognition. More information can be found here.
3. This article is intended to inform you on the first steps that need to be taken to prepare for filing; speak with a tax professional and/or conduct further research before filing.

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Benefits

‍Many states have tax benefits for enrolling your student in an online private school. These benefits will vary depending on the state of residence and your family’s specific situation. Examples include the following:

• Tax credits
• Tax rebates
• Tax deductions
• Refundable credits

The most common expense eligible for tax benefits is tuition, although fees, supplies, and other items may be covered as well.

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Limitations

‍Similar to benefits, limitations may also apply, often based on the family’s income level or how a family is filing (married filing separately vs. married filing jointly). 

Other practical limitations may be relevant, such as ensuring that the student is living in the state in which your family is filing and that the student is enrolled full-time at the private school. Additionally, the state may have a cap for tax benefit programs.

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Students with Special Needs

‍On occasion, states may offer tax options for parents/guardians of students with special needs. It is important to research how the state defines special needs and to ensure that all steps are being followed, such as documentation from a healthcare provider.

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Parents’ Steps

‍Your family will want to research tax benefits and limitations for your state using government websites and/or speak with a tax professional. To get started, you can also find your state or country in Enlightium’s blog.

If your family lives in a state that offers benefits, there is one word to keep in mind: documentation.

You can:

• Request a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) from Enlightium Academy by contacting your student’s Enlightium counselor.
• Receive a statement of tuition paid during the calendar year: The billing department will provide this in February each year to those who reside in states with credits. If you have not received it in your email by March 15th, you can reach out to the billing team by emailing billing@enlightiumacademy.com.
• Discuss with your tax professional regarding what options are available to you for rebates. Please note that many free online “self-service” filing options will have limited capacity to assist you in determining your eligibility. 

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Since 2003, Enlightium faculty and staff have served partner schools, online, and homeschool K-12 students. With parental support, excellent instruction, and a personalized approach to learning, Enlightium equips students with the academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional skills they need to succeed in life. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (509) 319-2288 or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.