Can I Take the Indiana Private School/Homeschool Deduction in 2021?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents and legal guardians were faced with the choice of sending their children to school for in-person learning or having them learn from home.  For those who chose virtual learning over in-person learning, are they eligible for the Indiana Private School/Homeschool Deduction?  Unfortunately, the deduction will not be available to anyone enrolled in a public or charter school.

Taxpayers are eligible to claim up to a $1,000 deduction for education expenditures paid for each dependent child who is enrolled in a private school located in Indiana or that is homeschooled.  Children that are enrolled in a charter school or a public school are not eligible to take the deduction.  The physical location in which the student’s learning takes place does not matter for purposes of the deduction.  Other requirements to take the Indiana Private School/Homeschool Deduction are as follows:

• The dependent child must be eligible to receive a free elementary or high school education in an Indiana school corporation
• The dependent child must be eligible to be claimed on your federal tax return
• The child must be your natural or adopted child, or you are the court-appointed guardian or custodian of the child

If you have any questions on the Indiana Private School/Homeschool Deduction, your DWD professional advisors are available to help.

Contributed By: Jessica Ogle | Partner | DWD CPAs & Advisors