Educator Deductions

If you are an educator, you may be able to deduct up to $250 of expenses you paid for purchases of books and classroom supplies, even if you don’t itemize your deductions, according to the IRS. These out-of-pocket expenses may lower your current year tax bill.

The Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 reinstated the educator expense deduction. Expenses incurred any time this year may qualify for the deduction, not just those since the Act was signed.

The deduction is available if you are an eligible educator in a public or private elementary or secondary school. To be eligible, you must work at least 900 hours during a school year as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide.

You may subtract up to $250 of qualified expenses when figuring your adjusted gross income. Qualified expenses are unreimbursed expenses you paid or incurred for books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment, and supplementary materials that you use in the classroom. For courses in health and physical education, expenses for supplies are qualified expenses only if they are related to athletics.  If you are an educator, contact us today!