Wisconsin approves private school tuition tax deduction

MADISON, Wis. — Private school tuition would be tax deductible under a provision added to the state budget.

The Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday approved creating the new tax deduction for tuition expenses of up to $4,000 per year for elementary school students and $10,000 for each high school student. The deduction would begin in 2014.

It is expected to cost the state $30 million.

Republicans have pushed for private school tuition tax credits in the past as a way to help all families in the state send their children to private school, not just those who qualify for the more generous vouchers.

The tax deduction proposal is not as generous as a tax credit would be.

The proposal comes at the same time Republicans are proposing expanding the voucher school program statewide.