“If they need it, we get it.”Ĭoley-Smith said she typically spends $1,500 on classroom supplies in a school year. “Teachers, we buy things for kids,” Strozyk said. And this year, with millions of Americans unemployed, teachers say they feel even more obligated to use their own money to support their students. “It’s not a situation that we should go into without having appropriate gear.” ‘If They Need It, We Get It’įederal data show that teachers in high-poverty schools spend more on classroom supplies-as well as on food, clothing, and personal-hygiene items for students-than their peers in more-affluent schools. “We’re with kids two-and-a-half hours in the morning and a different group in the afternoon,” Coley-Smith said. She also wanted to make sure she was wearing masks that were thick enough. Tracy Coley-Smith, a preschool teacher at Woodlawn Elementary School near Cincinnati, said that while her school provided some masks, she had to buy extra reusable ones so that she could swap them out over the course of the school day. She, and some of her colleagues, wanted better-quality PPE to feel safe working in schools. Her school had provided staff with disposable medical masks, but Strozyk said that wasn’t enough protection for many teachers. That includes four masks that are transparent, so her students can see how her mouth moves during phonics instruction, two face shields, one pair of goggles, 20 KN95 masks, and eight washable masks. While not a dollar for dollar deduction for your overall union dues, this deduction will offset your taxable income if you itemize your New York state income taxes.Ĭonsult with your personal tax preparer to confirm your own situation.Paula Strozyk, an instructional coach at John Newbery Elementary School in Wenatchee, Wash., has spent $215 on personal protective equipment this year. State tax deduction for your union duesĪs a result of legislation championed by NYSUT, the state AFL-CIO and unions across the state, which was passed and signed into law in April 2017, union members in New York can deduct their union dues from their state income taxes if they itemize. An expense doesn’t have to be required to be considered necessary.įor further information, consult your tax preparer and/or IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Indviduals. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your profession as an educator. For professional development courses you have taken related to the curriculum you teach or to the students you teach.Īn ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your educational field.In connection with books, supplies, equipment (including computer equipment, software, and services), and other materials used in the classroom.Qualified expenses include ordinary and necessary expenses paid: However, neither spouse can deduct more than $250 of his or her qualified expenses.Īn eligible educator is a K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide who worked at least 900 hours in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined by state law. If you and your spouse are filing jointly and both of you were eligible educators, the maximum deduction is $500. Educator expense tax deduction renewed for 2020 tax returnsĮligible educators can deduct up to $250 of qualified expenses you paid in 2020. A reminder for tax season: Thanks to union victories, the educator expense tax deduction has been renewed for 2020 returns - and there's a state deduction for your union dues, too.
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