Iowa Tuition and Textbook Credit (K-12 Only)
The Iowa Tuition and Textbook Credit is available to parents of dependents enrolled in grades K-12 in accredited Iowa schools. This credit is designed to help offset the cost of tuition and textbooks for eligible students.
Eligibility Criteria
- Dependent must be enrolled in grades K-12 in an accredited Iowa school.
- The school must be non-profit and comply with the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Only the parent claiming the dependent on their tax return may claim the credit.
- Religious instruction costs are not eligible for the credit.
- Purchases made from Educational Savings Account funds are not eligible.
Credit Amount
The credit is equal to 25% of the first $2,000 paid per dependent for tuition and textbooks. This means the maximum credit per child is $500 (25% of $2,000).
Special Considerations
- In cases of divorced or separated parents, only the spouse claiming the dependent on their tax return may claim the credit for amounts paid by that spouse.
- Tuition expenses paid with 529 account distributions may qualify for the credit.
How to Claim the Credit
When filing your Iowa state tax return using Online Taxes (OLT) software:
- From within your tax return (Online), click on "State" in the left menu.
- Click "Start or Revisit Iowa state."
- Under the "Credits" section, select "IA Tuition and Textbook Credit."
- Click "Save & Continue Return" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Source:
Form IA 1040
Disclaimer: Always verify details with official forms and instructions from the Iowa Department of Revenue. The information provided here is based on retrieved context and may not reflect all current requirements.