Teachers: Your Unreimbursed Expenses Might Be Tax Deductible
Barry Weller
by Barry L Weller, EA
School may look a little different this year, but eligible teachers and other educators can still deduct certain unreimbursed expenses on their 2020 federal income tax return.
To be an eligible educator, you must be a kindergarten through 12th grade 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.
Eligible educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that were not reimbursed. As you prepare for the school year, you should remember to keep receipts after making any purchase to support claiming this deduction. If you and your spouse are both eligible educators, the deduction on a “married filing joint tax return” can be up to $500, but each taxpayer cannot deduct more than $250 each.
Qualified expenses are amounts the taxpayer paid themselves during the tax year. Examples of deductible expenses are:
Professional development course fees
Books
Supplies
Computer equipment, including related software and services
Other equipment and materials used in the classroom
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Barry L Weller, EA is the president of Barry Weller & Associates, Inc. with offices at 19 N Reading Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512 Phone (610) 367-8280 He is an enrolled agent, licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. (updated 7/27/2020)