Take Advantage of an Educator Deduction
If you can find the receipts for your purchases, you can deduct up to $250 worth of school supplies on your taxes. Since 2004, eligible educators have been able to take advantage of this IRS ruling.
An “eligible educator” is an employee who works at least 900 hours during the school year in a public school that provides elementary or secondary education. This includes teachers, instructors, counselors, principals or parapros.
Qualifying expenses are unreimbursed expenses for books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment and supplementary supplies that you use in the classroom.
For courses in health and physical education, expenses for supplies are considered “qualified expenses” only if they aren’t related to athletics.
The educator expense deduction is available whether or not your itemize deductions on Schedule A.
Check with your tax preparer or with the IRS to see if you’re eligible.