Tax day may still be several months away, but deductible expenses come up all throughout the year. It’s a good idea to keep track of which purchases you’ll be able to deduct and keep the receipts with your tax paperwork— this will help tax time go smoothly for you and make sure you save as much money as you can.
Before the back-to-school rush begins, let’s discuss a tax deduction specific to educators so that you’re prepared during your busy time!
A tax deduction for unreimbursed classroom expenses is available to any educator who works a minimum of 900 hours in a school year in a school that provides education under state law. This includes educators who teach at any level from kindergarten to twelfth grade in any role, such as a formal teacher, guidance counselor, principal, or other similar position.
Some items you can deduct include:
- Books
- School supplies
- Computer equipment and software needed
- Professional development course fees
Please keep in mind that the maximum amount that can be deducted is $250. If you file jointly and your spouse is also eligible for this deduction, then you can deduct $250 each for a total of $500. To receive this deduction, make sure you have Form 1040, Schedule 1 filled out when filing your taxes.
If you’ve already purchased new supplies for the upcoming school year, find the receipt and keep it somewhere safe. If you haven’t purchased anything yet, then this is just a reminder to keep your receipts. For any assistance with this or any other tax questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are here to assist you where we can.
Ryder & Company is located in West Lawn, PA and offers a variety of accounting services, part-time CFO services, payroll preparation, and much more! We also offer tax preparation for individuals, as well as businesses and nonprofit entities. We assist many individuals and businesses in and around Wyomissing, Exeter, and Reading.