The tax reform law eliminated the deduction for job-related expenses for years 2018 through 2025.

You can claim the $250 educator expense deduction if you teach K-12 and work at least 900 hours during the school year.

For tax year 2020 those would be eligible Teacher (Educator) expenses.

Note that only $250 of Teacher expenses can be entered as an Adjustment to Income on your federal tax return.

Thanks..  where is the criteria reference? Isnt important to distinguish that this was an unsuual circumstance to the hiring process.  Currently, its unclear if teachers will be going back into classroom. Every dollar helps.. what proof do you suggest to support position?

Thanks..  where is the criteria reference? Isnt important to distinguish that this was an unsuual circumstance to the hiring process.  Currently, its unclear if teachers will be going back into classroom. Every dollar helps.. what proof do you suggest to support position?

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@Hawaiiquestion0 waa wrote:

Thanks..  where is the criteria reference? Isnt important to distinguish that this was an unsuual circumstance to the hiring process.  Currently, its unclear if teachers will be going back into classroom. Every dollar helps.. what proof do you suggest to support position?

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See the instructions for Schedule 1 Line 10 Form 1040 starting on page 84 (Educator Expenses) - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf#page=84

@Hawaiiquestion0 waa The tax reform laws that went into effect for 2018 and beyond eliminated job-related expenses as a deduction for W-2 employees on federal returns.  There have been no new tax laws enacted to affect teachers as a special group during the pandemic.  You are still subject to the tax laws passed for 2018 and beyond.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/4482873-which-federal-tax-deductions-have-been-suspended-by-tax-re...

If you work as a K-12 teacher, you can get the Educator Expense deduction of $250.

TEACHER EXPENSES

Go to Federal>Deductions and Credits>Employment Expenses>Teacher (Educator) Expenses

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

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@Hawaiiquestion0 waa wrote:

Thanks..  where is the criteria reference? Isnt important to distinguish that this was an unsuual circumstance to the hiring process.  Currently, its unclear if teachers will be going back into classroom. Every dollar helps.. what proof do you suggest to support position?

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The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2018 doubled the standard deduction and took away many of the old itemized deductions, including the itemized deduction for work-related expenses for W-2 employees.  This benefitted many more people than it harmed, and maybe even you, since work-related expenses were only partly deductible, and only if you had enough other itemized deduction to make itemizing better than the standard deduction. 

 If you have incurred higher costs, you might ask your employer about reimbursement.