Educators Can Claim Deduction To Get Money Back For Classroom Expenses

But is it enough?

If you recently heard what sounded like a huge sigh, it was the sound of schoolteachers exhaling at the close of another school year. If you are an educator, summer is your time to recover and recharge in preparation for another school year. Some of you may be working summer jobs to supplement income as well as prepare for out-of-pocket expenses for supplies needed for your classrooms that are not adequately covered in the school budget.

Thank You!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of taxes, we want to take this opportunity to say thank you to teachers. People come and go throughout our lives and many of them are forgotten over the years. But many of us remember at least some of our teachers, by name, all our life. That is a pretty awesome achievement. Many have been role models, mentors, influencers, and inspirations that set us on a course for life.

According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics and published in USA Today, 94 percent of public school teachers spend an average of about $480 per year of their own money on school supplies without reimbursement.

Deduction For Unreimbursed Expenses

As an educator, you may be able to deduct unreimbursed expenses on your tax return. This deduction can put money right back in your pockets if you meet eligibility requirements.

Here are some things you should know about this deduction:

Educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that were not reimbursed. As teachers prepare for the next school year, they should remember to keep receipts after making any purchase to support claiming this deduction.
The deduction is $500 if both taxpayers are eligible educators and file their return using the status married filing jointly. These taxpayers cannot deduct more than $250 each.
Qualified expenses are amounts the taxpayers paid out-of-pocket during the tax year.

Examples of expenses you can deduct as an educator include:

- Professional development course fees
- Books
- Supplies
- Computer equipment, including related software and services
- Other equipment and materials used in the classroom

To be considered an eligible educator, you must be a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide. You must also work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.

While teachers appreciate any reimbursement, the American Federation of Teachers reports that the tax savings to teachers amount to about $30 – $60.