Schoolnet Express Tax Allowance Program

Schoolnet Express includes all the developments of educational informatics, the goals of which are the development of Internet network and instruments of EU standard in public education, the promotion of application of high standard, as well as the improvement of applications and services.

The Schoolnet Express Program is a governmental initiation, which was launched in 1996. The year 2003 was a milestone in the Program‘s life. Until 2003 the main goals were to provide the schools with Internet connection and computer labs, to help the teachers through a portal with structured extra teaching materials, to organize trainings for teachers and camps for students, teachers and system administrators and to announce calls for applications. In 2003 – besides the traditional activities – new challenges appeared within the frame of the Program.

The Tax Rebate Program of Schoolnet Express started in 2003. It‘s a construction based on tax rebate, in order to support the spread of home computers and Internet connections. The Schoolnet Express program creates an opportunity to purchase ICT equipment tax deductible. 250 euros, 120% of the minimum wage is tax-deductible for purchase of PCs and accessories for teachers, college and university staff members, college and university students, parents of primary, secondary or tertiary level students. Employers (also schools and kindergartens) that purchase PCs or provide Internet access for employees may also do it tax-free. The state-funded project opens the possibility to purchase ICT equipment tax-free. With the help of Schoolnet Express Tax Rebate Program the information instruments needed for learning, like home computer or Internet are available without significant financial burden.

The function of Schoolnet Express Tax Rebate Program changed a bit in 2004, in order to back up the further spread of ICT at home. From the 1^st of July 2004 the circle of entitled increased, from that time not only people concerned with education, but every private individual, who falls under the force of the law about personal income tax, can take advantage of the tax rebate of a maximum of 60 000 Ft offered by the Schoolnet Express Program. In addition by the purchase of a supported device 50% of the price should be paid by the person utilizing the tax rebate. The reduction of 60 000 forint should be taken once in a tax year. However citizens with the gross annual income of 4 million forints or above cannot take advantage of the tax allowance any more which means that the program takes the interests of the needy also into account. Citizens with the gross annual income between 3,4 and 4 million forint form a temporary zone, they can make use of the program only to a certain extent.

More than 1800 outlets around the country offer a selection of 250 types of equipment and 70 software packages and peripherals ranging from scanners to digital cameras. Tax deduction is obtainable for three years. Since the 11^th of May 2004 instruments of computer technology acquired by hire-purchase or long-lease are excluded from the Schoolnet Express Program.

The popularization and the operation of the program until 2006 is the task of Schoolnet in the near future.