KPM

Bartering Without Cash Transactions Spouse Travel Expenses Tax Efficiency Starting A Business As A Sole Proprietor Employee Retention Tax Credit Emergency Savings Accounts QSBC Advantage Green Tax Reform Employees Receive Tips Selling Commercial Or Investment Real Estate Standard Business Mileage Rate EV Reporting Requirements Section 174 Tax Calendar Tax Breaks Company Vehicle Benefits Tax Strategies for Financial Success 2023 Tax Bill 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Tax Parameters For Small Businesses Cost Segregation Study Business Entity Per Diem Business Travel Rates Social Security Wage Base Tax Depreciation Rules Work Business Expense Deductions Deadline TAx Tax issues Depreciating Business Assets Loan Guarantees LLC Tax-Saving S corporation Handling Expenses On Your Tax Return

Expenses That Teachers Can & Cannot Deduct On Their Tax Returns

As teachers head back for a new school year, they often pay for various expenses for which they do not receive reimbursement. Fortunately, they may be able to deduct them on their tax returns. However, there are limits on this special deduction, and some expenses cannot be written off.

For 2019, qualifying educators can deduct some of their unreimbursed out-of-pocket classroom costs under the educator expense deduction. This is an ‘above-the-line’ deduction, which means you do not have to itemize your deductions to claim it.

Eligible deductions

Here are some details about the educator expense deduction:

  • For 2019, educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that were not reimbursed. (The deduction is $500 if both taxpayers are eligible educators who file a joint tax return, but these taxpayers cannot deduct more than $250 each).
  • Qualified expenses are amounts educators paid themselves during the tax year.
  • Examples of expenses that educators can deduct include books, supplies, computer equipment (including software), other materials used in the classroom, and professional development courses.
  • To be eligible, taxpayers must be kindergarten through grade 12 teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, or aides. They must also work at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.

Educators should keep receipts when they make eligible expenses and note the date, amount, and purpose of each purchase.

Ineligible deductions

Teachers or professors may see advertisements for job-related courses in out-of-town or exotic locations. You may have wondered whether traveling to these courses is tax-deductible on teachers’ tax returns. The bad news is that, for tax years 2018–2025, it is not, because the outlays are employee business expenses.

Prior to 2018, employee business expenses could be claimed as miscellaneous itemized deductions. However, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, miscellaneous itemized deductions are not deductible by individuals for tax years 2018–2025.

Related Articles

Talk with the pros

Our CPAs and advisors are a great resource if you’re ready to learn even more.