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?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

No.  The educator expense deduction is for teachers---not for school bus drivers.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc458

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/educator-expense-...

[Hal_Al · Accepted solution]

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."

[Jessica_wagoner]

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. 

[Hal_Al]

Coaches qualify as Physical Education Instructors.