Deduction for
Classroom Materials
Teachers Get a Break on Out-of-Pocket Purchases for Use in Their
Classrooms
Teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, and
aides who work at least 900 hours during a school year in an elementary or
secondary school can take a deduction on Form 1040, even if they do not
use Schedule A to itemize their deductions.
The deduction can be up to $250 of expenses for
books, supplies, computer equipment (including software and services), and
materials used in the classroom.
Previously, these expenses were deductible only as a
miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% of adjusted gross
income limit.
This deduction will not apply after 2003 unless
Congress votes to extend this break.