Are you entitled to the educator expense deduction if you teach adults who are trying to obtain their GED?

[AnnaB · Accepted solution]

No, a qualified educator for purposes of the education expense must meet the following requirements:

• Be an educator for Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Be an educator in an elementary or secondary school (working at least a minimum of 900 hours for the year
  
• Be a teacher, instructor, Counselor, Principal, or Aid

Based on the information you provided, it sounds as if you are teaching adults outside of an elementary or secondary environment and they have passed grade 12 or are no longer in school.

However, you can claim these expenses as job-related expenses.  These are reduced by 2% of your adjusted gross income.  In addition, your total itemized deductions must exceed your standard deduction to yield a tax benefit.

If you are using TurboTax Online, except Home & Business

1. Click on Federal Taxes
2. Click on Deductions & Credits
3. Check your list for Job-Related Expenses and click Start/Edit; if it is not there, please proceed with the rest of the steps
4. Click on Check for other tax breaks
5. Click on Jump to full list
6. Scroll down to Employment Expenses and click Show more
7. Click on Start/Edit next to Job-Related Expenses

If you are using TurboTax Desktop or TurboTax Online Home & Business

1. Click on Federal Taxes (Personal if using Home & Business)
2. Click on Deductions & Credits
3. Select I'll choose what I work on
4. Scroll down to Employment Expenses
5. Click on Start/Update next to Job-Related Expenses