topic why does TurboTax tell me Illinois does not have a teacher's tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses when other sources tell me it does? in Deductions & credits

why does TurboTax tell me Illinois does not have a teacher's tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses when other sources tell me it does?

bill-busse — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:58:28 GMT

does Illinois have a teacher's expense tax credit?

Re: why does TurboTax tell me Illinois does not have a teacher's tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses when other sources tell me it does?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 04:01:30 GMT

No. There is a federal educator expense deduction you can enter:

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

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

https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-credits-deductions/educator-expense-deduction/L4ez9qGKu_US_en_US?uid=m5zq4nk2

And IL has some education credits for K-12.

Re: why does TurboTax tell me Illinois does not have a teacher's tax credit for out-of-pocket expenses when other sources tell me it does?

bill-busse — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:47:23 GMT

I took the Illinois educator tax credit in 2024. I see it in my Illinois tax return. Illinois did not remove this credit for 2025. The k-12 tax credit mentioned above is for parents of k-12 students . That is a different credit. Is it possible that TurboTax failed to include the educator tax credit in their app? I went on the Illinois. Gov dept of Revenue web site and it confirms there is an educator’s expense tax credit , Illinois schedule 1299-C, line 11. TurboTax either omitted this tax credit option in their app or it is hidden very well.

Re: why does TurboTax tell me Illinois does not have a teacher's tax credit for out-of-pocket exp...

Karis_F — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:03:03 GMT

The K-12 instructional materials and supplies credit is available for Illinois educators who work as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in either a public or non-public school in Illinois for at least 900 hours during a school year.

The credit is for up to $500 ($1,000 if married filing jointly) for out-of-pocket expenses paid in connection with books, supplies, etc. used in a Kindergarten through 12th grade classroom.

To enter the credit in TurboTax, go to the Illinois tax return and to Credits & Taxes>K-12 Instructional materials and supplies

See this article from the Illinois Dept. of Revenue for more information on the credit.