• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
BACK TAXES HELP
  • Tax Problems
    ▼
    • Tax Problems Overview
    • Audit
      ▼
      • Audits Overview
      • Audited and Can’t Pay
      • Avoid Tax Audit
      • Statute of Limitations
    • Business
    • IRS Letters
    • Tax Levy
      ▼
      • Tax Levy Overview
      • Bank Levy
      • IRS Asset Seizure
      • Protect Assets
      • Release Tax Levy
      • Social Security Garnishment
      • Tax Levy Appeals Process
      • Wage Garnishments
    • Tax Lien
      ▼
      • Tax Lien Overview
      • Release or Withdrawal of Tax Lien
      • Appeal Tax Lien
      • IRS Form 14135: Discharge Tax Lien
      • IRS Form 12277: Request Lien Withdrawal
    • Tax on Settlement of Consumer Liabilities
    • Tax Penalties
      ▼
      • Tax Penalties Overview
      • Failure to File Penalty
      • Failure to Pay Penalty
      • IRS Interest Underpayment
      • Late Filing Penalty
      • Late Payment Penalty
      • Tax Evasion
      • Tax Fraud
      • Trust Fund Recovery Penalty
    • Unfiled Taxes
      ▼
      • File Back Taxes
      • Unfiled Taxes Return
      • Unfiled Tax Return Consequences
    • Unpaid Taxes
      ▼
      • Unpaid Taxes Overview
      • IRS Collections: How The Process Works & How to Stop It
      • Find Out Tax Amount Owed
      • IRS Statute of Limitations
  • Tax Solutions
    ▼
    • Tax Solutions
    • Bankruptcy
    • IRS Tax Appeal
      ▼
      • IRS Tax Appeal Overview
      • IRS Collection Due Process (CDP)
      • Collection Appeals Program (CAP)
    • Payment Plans
      ▼
      • Payment Plans Overview
      • Installment Agreements
      • Short-Term Extension
    • Tax Settlement
      ▼
      • Tax Settlement Overview
      • Innocent Spouse Tax Relief
      • Offer in Compromise
      • Penalty Abatement
      • Prove Financial Hardship
      • Tax Negotiation
  • State Tax Relief
  • About Us
    ▼
    • About BackTaxesHelp
    • Tax Professionals
      ▼
      • Tax Professionals Overview
      • CPA
      • IRS Enrolled Agent
      • Tax Attorney
      • Tax Resolution Services
      • Taxpayer Advocate Services
      • Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
      • Tax Relief Scams
    • Tax Services
      ▼
      • Our Tax Services
      • Tax Process
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Get A Quote
  • Resources
    ▼
    • Resources Overview
    • Back Taxes FAQ
    • Forms: IRS and State
    • How To
    • IRS Phone Numbers
    • Power of Attorney
    • Tax Filings
  • Tax Blog
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Back Taxes Help HomepageBack Taxes Help

Get tax help

Call for a Free Consultation800-928-5035
Call for a Free
Consultation
800-928-5035
  • Tax Problems
    • About Tax Problems
    • Audit
    • Business
    • IRS Letters
    • Tax Levy
    • Tax Lien
    • Tax on Settlement of Consumer Liabilities
    • Unfiled Taxes
    • Unpaid Taxes
  • Tax Solutions
    • About Tax Solutions
    • IRS Tax Appeal
    • Repayment Plans
    • Tax Settlement
  • State Tax Relief
  • About Us
    • About BackTaxesHelp
    • Tax Professionals
    • Tax Services
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Get a FREE Quote
  • Resources
    • Tax Resources
    • Back Taxes FAQ
    • Forms: IRS and State
    • How To
    • IRS Phone Numbers
    • Power of Attorney
    • Tax Filings
  • Tax Blog
Home / Filing Taxes / Back to School Tips: Tax Deductions for Teachers

Back to School Tips: Tax Deductions for Teachers

July 27, 2011 By Manny Davis

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

group of young kids

A sad aspect of America’s educational system is that, despite the fact that schools are often helped out financially by fundraisers and parent donations, their budgets remain small, requiring teachers and other school staff to frequently buy supplies and equipment in order to properly educate their students.

The good news, however, is that the IRS recognizes this issue and offers a tax deduction to lower the tax liability for teachers, principals, counselors, and aides to offset the cost of these purchases.

The tax deduction allowed for educators is $250 in qualified expenses per year. If you are married, filing jointly, and your spouse is also a teacher, aide, counselor or principal, he or she can also deduct up to $250 per year for eligible expenses, giving you a total deduction of $500 for the year. Note that neither of you can deduct more than $250 a piece, even if the total is less than $500.

Qualifying for the Educator Expense Deduction

As with anything, the IRS has rules and guidelines to regulate who may use this deduction and for what they may use it. For example, similar to tax-deductible business expenses, the expenses that you deduct must be directly related to your profession and you cannot have been reimbursed for those items already. Some examples of things that you can deduct for the Educator Expense Deduction include pencils and other classroom supplies, books, computers and education-related software, and balls or other sporting equipment used for physical education classes. The items must be ordinary and necessary, so you will not be able to get away with deducting a caviar service for two or a case of your favorite wine.

In order to qualify, you must be an instructor, aide, principal or counselor in a public or private school, as defined by law, for kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition, you must have worked no less than 900 hours during the school year or approximately 22.5 hours per week in a 10-month school year.

There are some additional restrictions that apply. For example, you may only deduct expenses if they exceed:

  • Interest received on any qualified U.S. savings bonds that you excluded from income on your tax return because you paid qualified higher education expenses
  • Distributions taken from a qualified tuition program that you excluded from your income amount on your tax return
  • Tax-free withdrawals that you took from your Coverdell Education Savings Account.

Claiming Your Educator Expense Deduction

If you plan to take the $250 per year Educator Expense Deduction, be sure to keep good records throughout the year. Store all of your receipts for eligible purchases in a file – or, better yet, scan them into your computer and store the image on both your hard drive and on a backup storage device. Although you do not need to list each expense individually on your tax return, you will need the total amount of your deductible expenditures as a backup in the event that you are audited.

When you file your tax return, claim the Educator Expense Deduction on Form 1040 (line 23) or Form 1040A (line 16), being sure not to exceed the $250 per person limit. This deduction will lower your tax liability for the year, which may lead to a smaller bill or larger refund at tax time.

Additional information about deductions and other tax questions can be found in Your Federal Income Tax, Publication 17, but any time that you are unsure whether or not you qualify for a deduction, it is a good idea to consult a tax professional.

Primary Sidebar

Tax Problems?





Categories

  • Business Taxes
  • Celebrities
  • Entertainment
  • FAQ
  • Filing Taxes
  • How To
  • Installment Agreements
  • Payment Plans
  • State Taxes
  • Tax Audit
  • Tax Credits & Deductions
  • Tax Filing Extension
  • Tax Help
  • Tax Law Changes
  • Tax Levy
  • Tax Lien
  • Tax News
  • Tax Opinion
  • Tax Settlements
  • Tax Tips

SUCCESS STORIES

  • "I was in a tough situation. I didn’t have much money and I couldn’t pay my tax balance.  I was able to pay off my taxes over time with an agreement. Thanks again!"
    ~ Brian J., Orange, CA

  • "Thank you so much for your diligence in taking care of our situation. You were always available when we needed to ask questions, and you should be proud of your professional handling of our case!"
    ~ Mr. Wilson, Taylor, TX

  • "I had used another company previously, and I had concerns initially but you guys put me in good hands and in no time flat. This is such a weight off of my shoulders."
    ~ Mr. Szramiak, Philadelphia, PA

  • "My back taxes had been haunting me for years & the bank levy happened so quickly; I’m glad I had I requested a free consultation. Everyone is astonished they got all my money back so soon. I am eternally grateful!"
    ~ Mr. Mason, Minneapolis, MN

Resolve Your Tax Problems Today!

GET A FREE TAX ANALYSIS

Footer

53 Halloween Blvd.
Stamford, CT 06902
PH: 203-813-7549
Toll Free: 800-928-5035
admin@backtaxeshelp.com
Call for a Free Consultation
800-928-5035

facebooktwitter
Back Taxes Help
  • Resources
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact
  
Back Taxes Help BBB Business Review
Privacy Seal
Security Seal
ASTPS
  

Copyright © 2023 BackTaxesHelp.com


Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with the IRS, any private tax collector, or any state tax agency. The information provided on this website is for general educational or informational purposes only. Nothing on this website should be interpreted as legal or tax advice for any individual or business tax case. Before taxpayers sign up with a tax relief or tax resolution company, they should request a free consultation in order to understand how tax relief services work and the associated costs. The free consultation comes with no obligation to use any product or services. In many cases, a reputable tax resolution firm can provide taxpayers with relief.  

Scroll Up