Teachers who are getting ready for a new school year often pay for some of their classroom supplies out-of-pocket. They may be able to get some of that cost back by taking advantage of a special tax break for educators.
History of the Deduction
Before 2018, employees who had unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses could potentially deduct them if they were ordinary and necessary to the “business” of being an employee. A teacher’s out-of-pocket classroom expenses could qualify and be claimed as a miscellaneous deduction, subject to a 2% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor. That meant that only taxpayers who itemized deductions could enjoy a tax benefit, and then only to the extent that their eligible expenses exceeded the 2% floor.
For 2018 through 2025, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has suspended miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to the 2% of AGI floor. Fortunately, qualifying educators can still deduct some unreimbursed out-of-pocket classroom costs using the educator expense deduction.
Back in 2002, Congress created this above-the-line deduction, which means the deduction is subtracted from your gross income to determine your AGI. It can be claimed even if you don’t itemize deductions.
For 2024, qualifying elementary and secondary school teachers and other eligible educators (such as counselors and principals) can deduct up to $300 of qualified expenses. (This limit will rise in $50 increments in future years, based on inflation adjustments.) Two eligible married educators who file a joint tax return can deduct up to $600 of unreimbursed expenses, limited to $300 each.
Qualified expenses include amounts paid or incurred during the tax year for books, supplies, computer equipment, related software, services, and other equipment and materials used in classrooms. The cost of certain professional development courses may also be deductible. However, homeschooling supplies and nonathletic supplies for health or physical education courses aren’t eligible.
