Buckeye Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act to quadruple the amount educators can deduct from their taxes for out-of-pocket classroom expenses.

The current deduction for teachers is $250 – far less than most teachers spend each year out of their own pocket on classroom supplies. The legislation would increase that to $1,000. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME) are co-sponsoring the bill. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) are expected to introduce companion legislation in the house this week.

“Teachers work hard to support our students, yet they aren’t paid nearly the salaries and benefits they deserve, and they often spend hundreds of dollars of their hard-earned money on supplies for their classrooms,” said Sen. Brown. “Ohio educators shouldn’t have to dip into their too-small paychecks simply to do their jobs. We need to allow teachers to deduct more of those costs from their taxes, so they can ensure Ohio students get the education they deserve.”

According to the Department of Education, 94 percent of public school teachers reportedly paid for classroom supplies without reimbursement. Teachers spend an average of $800 in out-of-pocket expenses on supplies each year, with nearly 1 in 10 reportedly spending more than $1,000 each year. Teachers are paid far too little – on average 20 percent less than similarly-skilled professionals – and are also too often asked to cover classroom expenses.

Increasing this deduction recognizes the personal sacrifices so many educators make to ensure our children have the tools to learn.

The Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act is endorsed by the The National Education Association (NEA), The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and The Ohio Education Association (OEA).

Original source can be found here.