![]() The increase wasn’t the only aspect of the deduction that Ambrose, who is also an advocacy fellow for the Association of American Educators, was unaware of. “It just goes to show you it’s not being discussed,” said Ambrose, an elementary education teacher-turned-dean of students at Forge International School, a public charter school in Middleton, Idaho. “The amount is just so small, it’s a joke,” said Pauline Stavrou, a tax attorney for Frost Tax Law in Baltimore.Īustin Ambrose hadn’t heard about the increased deduction until he was asked for his thoughts on the bump. Financial experts and educators agree: Even with this year’s increase, the deduction falls short. But the deduction remains far less than what many teachers spend on out-of-pocket classroom and related expenses annually.Ĭlassroom teachers use around $550 of their own money each year-and nearly 1 in 5 spends upwards of $1,000-to provide their students with basic supplies, according to data from. And while this declaration usually comes with a collective groan, K-12 educators have a little something to celebrate on the tax front this year.įor the first time since the Internal Revenue Service enacted the educator expense deduction in 2002, the agency raised it from $250 to $300 for the current tax filing season. ![]() ![]() If an educator is married and files a joint return with another eligible educator, the limit rises to $500 – but not more than $250 for each spouse.It’s tax season. As with all deductions and credits, the IRS reminds educators to keep good records, including receipts, cancelled checks and other documentation.įor educators who received a tax filing extension or still need to file a 2021 tax return, the IRS notes that the deduction limit is $250. Qualified expenses do not include the cost of homeschooling or for non-athletic supplies for courses in health or physical education. For details, see Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, particularly Chapter 3. But the IRS cautions that for these expenses, it may be more beneficial to claim another educational tax benefit, especially the lifetime learning credit. Professional development courses related to the curriculum they teach or the students they teach. This includes face masks, disinfectant for use against COVID-19, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, tape, paint or chalk to guide social distancing, physical barriers such as clear plexiglass, air purifiers and other items recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of the disease in the classroom. Equipment, including computer equipment, software and services. Books, supplies and other materials used in the classroom. Total full-time support staff numbered 35,209, which included school aides but also “about 100 other roles, including secretaries, police officers, security guards, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and childcare workers,” said Rob Crissinger, executive director of communications for the Education Department.Įducators can deduct their unreimbursed expenses for: In school year 2021-22 Oklahoma had 52,849 total certified full-time employees, including teachers, instructors, counselors and principals, according to records of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Both public and private school educators qualify. Eligible educators include anyone who is a K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during the school year. If they’re married and file a joint return with another eligible educator, the limit rises to $600 – but not more than $300 for each spouse.Įducators can claim this deduction even if they take the standard deduction, the IRS said. The limit will rise in $50 increments in future years based on inflation adjustments, the IRS reported.įor 2022 an eligible educator can deduct up to $300 of qualifying expenses. For tax years 2002 through 2021 the limit was $250 per year. This is the first time the annual limit has increased since the special educator expense deduction was enacted 20 years ago. OKLAHOMA CITY – Teachers and other educators will be able to deduct up to $300 of out-of-pocket classroom expenses for 2022 when they file their federal income tax return next year, the Internal Revenue Service announced.
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