Tax Extender: Teacher $250 Above the Line Deduction

Posted by Lee Reams Sr. on

Background: This provision, which has been available since 2002 and through 2014, allows teachers and eligible educators, grades kindergarten through 12, to take an above the line deduction, up to $250 for expenses that would otherwise qualify as employee business expenses under Code Sec 162. U

Under the legislation (Act Sec 104): 

  • This deduction is made permanent.
  • The $250 is inflation adjusted in years after 2015.
  • Qualified expenses include professional development expenses

TIP: Remember, if properly documented as a non-cash charitable contribution, the teacher’s expenses can generally be treated as a charitable contribution, although a charitable donation will require the teacher to itemize their deductions.