As students across Illinois return to the classroom, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding both parents and educators to take advantage of valuable tax benefits available on their 2025 Illinois individual income tax returns.
Tax Benefits for Parents and Guardians
The Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of full-time K-12 students (under age 21) to claim a 25 percent tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250. The maximum credit is $750 per household, regardless of the number of qualifying students. Eligible expenses include tuition, book rentals, and lab fees paid to the student’s school. For home-schooled students, book rental and lab fees over $250 qualify when part of an approved home school curriculum.
Tax Benefits for Educators
The K-12 Instructional Materials and Supplies Tax Credit supports teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, and aides who work at least 900 hours in a full-time K-12 school during the school year. Eligible educators can claim up to $500 in tax credits for out-of-pocket spending on classroom materials. Married couples who are both qualifying educators and file jointly may claim up to $1,000. Taxpayers are encouraged to keep receipts on all qualifying purchases, so they are accessible when it is time to file taxes. To learn more about the Illinois Education Expense Credit, please read IDOR Publication 112 located on IDOR’s website tax.illinois.gov.
