Do classroom expenses for a public preschool count as educator expenses

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
March 15, 2022
2 replies
33 views

I work for an Independent School District - do expenses for my classroom qualify for a deduction if I teach special education for 3 year olds

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Best answer by DawnC

Expert Reviewed

Unfortunately, no, they don't count - it has to be K-12. Pre-K doesn't count. 😞

The primary tax break for teachers is the Educator Expense Deduction. To qualify for the Educator Expense Deduction for a given year, you must meet three criteria:

You worked as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
You worked at least 900 hours at a school certified by a state to provide elementary or secondary education. This applies to public, private and religious schools.
You spent money on qualified educator expenses.

Bsch4477

Level 15

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.

DawnCAnswer

Level 15

Expert Reviewed

Unfortunately, no, they don't count - it has to be K-12. Pre-K doesn't count. 😞

The primary tax break for teachers is the Educator Expense Deduction. To qualify for the Educator Expense Deduction for a given year, you must meet three criteria:

You worked as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
You worked at least 900 hours at a school certified by a state to provide elementary or secondary education. This applies to public, private and religious schools.
You spent money on qualified educator expenses.

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jjkrik40

Level 2

My son began teaching in July 2022 and does not have 900 hours during this tax year. Can I write off his teaching expenses? I am unclear if the 900 hours is from his full school work year 7/2022-6/2023, or 1/2022 -12/2022. Because he will have over 900 hours by 6/2023 when the school year ends, but not 12/2022 when the tax year ends.

JamesG1

Level 15

The "900 hours during a school year" refers to January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.

IRS Publication 529 states:

Educator Expenses

If you were an eligible educator for the tax year, you may be able to deduct qualified expenses you paid as an adjustment to gross income on your Schedule 1 (Form 1040), rather than as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. See the Instructions for Forms 1040 and 1040-SR for more information.

Eligible educator.

An eligible educator is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in school for at least 900 hours during a school year.

@jjkrik40

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