Tax Strategies & Credits

TaxBuzz Q & A: Suggestions to Maximize the Teacher's Tax Benefits

by
Lee Reams II
on
3/20/2017
TaxBuzz Q & A: Suggestions to Maximize the Teacher's Tax Benefits

Being a teacher often requires you to spend a lot of your own money on supplies. Fortunately, you may be able to use these expenses to reduce your liability at tax time. Below is some tax advice from professionals to help teachers maximize their tax benefits.

1. Keep tracking expenses over $250.

“Teachers can deduct a maximum of $250 as part of the Educator Expense Deduction regardless of whether they take the standard deduction or they itemize their deductions on Schedule A. However, if they itemize their deductions on Schedule A, then they should not stop tracking their expenses over $250. Teachers should keep good records and save their receipts because eligible expenses can count as unreimbursed business expenses.” ― Gerri Lazarre (TriMergeTax)

Teachers may be able to deduct expenses for books, school supplies, computer equipment, software and any other tools required if they meet certain requirements, even if these expenses exceed $250. However, in order to claim these expenses as a deduction, teachers will need detailed records. Teachers who hope to deduct expenses in excess of $250 should track all of their spending throughout the year.

2. Deduct extra expenses as a charitable contribution.

“My teacher-clients are almost, without exception, aware they can deduct $250.00 as an ‘above-the-line' deduction to reduce their total income. My advice would be to consider the remainder as a charitable deduction if they are able to use Schedule A, itemized deductions.” ― Terrence O'Neill (Terry O'Neill, EA, LLC)

Teachers should keep in mind that any expenses they deduct as charitable contributions will be subject to the same rules and documentation requirements for other non-cash contributions.

3. Deduct extra expenses as unreimbursed employee expenses.

“In addition to the $250 deduction for educator expenses, amounts that exceed that amount may possibly be deducted as unreimbursed employee expenses for the portion that exceeds 2 percent of an educator's adjusted gross income. Expenses such as union dues and travel to conferences, which are considered outside-the-classroom expenses, can be claimed as unreimbursed employee expenses.” ― Guillermo Birmingham (Guillermo Birmingham, CPA)

“If a teacher spends $1,000 on classroom supplies, I would suggest that they deduct the first $250 of those supplies as an educator expense on page 1 of the 1040. I would then suggest the remaining $750 be deducted as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, subject to 2 percent of their AGI.” ― Deltrease Hart-Anderson (The Tax Debt Solution)

Using this method, teachers can deduct extra expenses that exceed 2 percent of their adjusted gross income. For more assistance with this calculation, teachers should consider discussing the issue with a tax professional.

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Lee Reams II

Lee Reams II

CEO

I am a tax and business news junkie who has spent the last 20 years developing and executing "best in class" word-of-mouth marketing campaigns for tax and accounting professionals. With TaxBuzz and CountingWorks we have taken that same commitment to quality content directly to the consumer. Keeping you up-to-date with the latest tax law changes, business growth tips and planning strategies to help you reach your best financial outcome.

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