I'm an instructor who bought classroom supplies using his own money.?

Question

Can these expenses be deducted from my 2007 taxes?

Answer 1

Hopefully Congress will extend the $250 educator expenses deduction that they extended for 2006. That was deducted right on your 1040 on page 1 under deductions. If they don't extend it, then you would report those expenses on form 2106, which would carry over to Schedule A - Itemized Deductions - Miscellaneous deductions, and you would have to exceed 2% of your AGI for the excess to be deductible, and you would have to itemize to get any benefit.

I've included a link to educator expenses.

Answer 2

$250 educators' expenses. This break, too, lost its place on the tax forms because it expired at the end of 2005 and wasn't reinstated until the 2006 forms were set. Still, teachers and their aides can deduct up to $250 they spent in 2006 for books and classroom supplies. If you qualify, put your deduction on line 23 of the Form 1040, the line now used for the Archer medical savings account (MSA) deduction, and write "E" on the dots to the left. If you also claim the MSA deduction, write "B" (for both) on the line and attach a breakdown of how much you're claiming for each. You get this deduction regardless of whether you itemize

Answer 3

If it's not a big amount, it won't affect your taxes much. If it does affect your taxes, you will have a problem, at least to the extent the "classroom supplies" are things you use or can use at home, like pads of paper, pencils, etc. Proving you used them in the classroom exclusively will be difficult. Proving that you needed them may also be difficult.

Answer 4

If you can prove that they are a legitimate business expense then they are deductible. The IRS web site will give you some guidance on the matter.

Answer 5

Yes you can deduct the expenses.

Answer 6

Yes, they can be deducted as 'professional expenses' ... as long as you KEPT all of the 'receipts' (you should hold the receipts for at least 7 years, in case you are 'audited') ...

Answer 7

yes but not sure if it would be business expense or under contributions to a charity. Either way you are a good teacher and the world appreciates it! Not many teachers would to that to ensure a good education for our future leaders.keep up the good work!!!!

Answer 8

Likely not.

Isn't it a sad commentary that teachers are reduced to providing their own supplies, while the wigs in Washington and legislators at the state level are wallowing in pork and perks? And the local leaders, councilmen and -women and supervisors -- Saints preserve us!

Answer 9

yes, and may I say that was very cool of you to do.
PS: I vote for a pay raise for all teachers!! Keep up the good work.

Answer 10

depends when you brought them...before or after tax deadline