Tennessee U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) has joined Illinois U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) in introducing the Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act.
As of current law, qualified teachers are able to deduct up to $250 on certain out-of-pocket classroom expenses on their annual tax returns.
Burchett and Casten’s bill, if enacted, would raise that amount from $250 to $1,000.
H.R.5357 would “amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers,” according to the bill text.
A 2018 survey by the National Center for Education Statistics showed at the time that more than 90% of public school teachers reported spending their money on classroom supplies without reimbursement. Thet same survey showed that the average amount spent among teachers who spent any of their own money on classroom supplies without reimbursement was $478.
I introduced a bill with @RepCasten to raise the tax deduction cap for teachers who buy school supplies from $250 to $1,000.
I grew up in a family of educators and I saw first-hand how much they sacrifice for their students. They deserve our deepest appreciation.
— Rep. Tim Burchett (@RepTimBurchett) September 8, 2023
“I come from a family of public educators, and time and time again I saw them gladly spend their own limited income on their students,” Burchett said in a statement. “The federal government has no business putting such a low cap on what teachers can deduct from their taxes when they are being so generous with these kids.”
“Educators are the backbone of American society,” Casten added. “They play a critical role in developing future generations, and no teacher should have to dig into their own pockets to buy essential classroom supplies. Ensuring our students get the best educational experience means having functional, comfortable, and resource-filled learning environments. We should not expect teachers to pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to provide the supplies necessary to educate students. It is past time that the federal government invests in our educators.”
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means upon introduction.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
I was never allowed to deduct items that I bought in support of my job – and that amounted to a lot. Not sure why teachers are treated in such a special manner.
The federal, state and local education departments routinely call for increased funding and get it. Because of the administrative burden legislation puts on education most of the money never reaches the classroom. That is true. The 2018 Survey by the National Center for Educational Statistics however made no effort to include any information regarding funding already available to educators to prevent the practice of self funding school supplies. They simply asked if they spent money and how much. They never asked why.
It is my learned understanding there is more than enough money available to teachers for school supplies. Not to mention the supplies donated and left unused. There is an administrative process the teachers must navigate to retrieve that money. It requires to much effort and is easier simply to pull it out of your own pocket. The money is then left to the academic administrators to spend. A complete lack of accounting of “Classroom Fees” collected at the beginning of each school year is also a significant problem. It is truly a shame when well intended solutions to problems end up on governments door step. It always ends up costing those paying taxes more.