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New Member
posted Jan 19, 2025 1:42:18 PM

As a contracted school bus driver in Ohio, am I able to claim educator expenses on my taxes for things that I personally purchased for my bus that wasn't provided?

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2 Best answers
Level 15
Jan 19, 2025 1:44:43 PM
Level 15
Jan 19, 2025 6:37:11 PM

No. The law is specific as to who qualifies:

"You're an eligible educator if, for the tax year you're a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law."

4 Replies
Level 15
Jan 19, 2025 1:44:43 PM
Level 15
Jan 19, 2025 6:37:11 PM

No. The law is specific as to who qualifies:

"You're an eligible educator if, for the tax year you're a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law."

New Member
Jan 19, 2025 8:36:57 PM

I know that coaches that are contracted for more than 900 hours are able to use this credit, and that isn’t specifically listed. So I didn’t know if it also covered my personal expenses for things not covered by my district. 

Level 15
Jan 19, 2025 8:44:04 PM

Coaches qualify as Physical Education Instructors.