State Tax Deductions

• Visit your state's department of education website to determine what programs are available to your family. Not every state offers assistance to families who send their children to private school.
  
  Louisiana began a school tuition and tax deduction plan in 2009 to help private school students and their families. According to the state, "Taxpayers will be allowed to deduct up to half of tuition and other costs up to $5,000 per child. This means that for each student, the deduction allowed will be 50 percent of the actual amount paid, or $5,000, whichever is less." Obtain the necessary tax forms from the state to take advantage of this policy.
  
  In Georgia, actual tax deductions for primary school education are not available, but tax credits are given to private citizens and corporations who make a donation to the Georgia Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs). According to the state, "SSOs will provide student scholarships to parents that will help cover the cost of a private school education for their children in the state of Georgia." Instead of receiving a direct tax deduction, the Georgia plan allows eligible families to apply for and receive scholarship funding. Ask your child's primary school for scholarship guidance.
  
  

Federal Tax Deductions

• On the federal level, families can find tax relief if their child has been diagnosed with a learning disability. Recognizing that some public school districts cannot provide the level of one-on-one care that special needs children require, families will sometimes turn to private schools for help.
  
  Tax law is complicated when it comes to providing relief for families who are educating their special needs children with various deductions and credits in the mix. To determine eligibility, visit a tax adviser knowledgeable in tax law for families with children with learning disabilities. Network with other parents of ADHD, LD or ADD children to discover other tax benefits that may be available.
  
  

Miscellaneous Expenses

• All families, regardless of whether their children attend private or public school, cannot deduct certain expenses related to their children's schooling including supplies, uniforms and study materials. The one exception is in Louisiana, where these expenses can be deducted. However, families who make a donation to their PTA (Parent Teachers Association) can usually deduct that expense from their federal and state returns. Consult your tax adviser for guidance.