Velázquez Introduces Bill to Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to Increase the Educator Expense Deduction

Washington, DC– Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has announced the Expand Education Deduction for Teachers Act, which is a bill that would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the Educator Expense Deduction to $2,000 and allow early childhood educators to take advantage of the tax benefit.

"Our country's teachers are tasked with the crucial job of educating the future generation of the United States, said Velázquez. "It's no surprise that teachers often take on the financial burden of using their paychecks to purchase necessary supplies for their students and classrooms every school year. That's why I'm proud to introduce this bill and put money back into the pockets of our educators and ensure they feel supported in the classroom."

The average starting salary for teachers in the United States during the 2019-2020 school year was $41,163, a modest 2.5% increase from the previous school year. Teacher salaries vary state by state; however, nearly all teachers use portions of their salary to purchase supplies for their classrooms.

A June 2021 survey of 5,400 PreK-12 teachers found that educators spend more money on school supplies for students, classrooms, and their homes than in any previous school year. The average amount spent was $750, with 30% of teachers spending $1,000 or more each year. Despite the 25% increase in teacher spending on supplies, the Educator Expense Deduction has remained stagnant at $250 and $500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible.

A copy of the legislation can be found here.

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps: Carolyn Maloney, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Ruben Gallego, Salud Carbajal, Darren Soto, Juan Vargas.

"Americans for the Arts is pleased to support an increase in the Educator's Expense Deduction. Congress must support teachers, including arts educators, who work hard to stimulate imagination and skills in creativity for our nation's students. A complete arts education requires adequate supplies and materials for students and ongoing professional development for teachers. These expenses shouldn't have to be out of pocket," said Narric RomeVP for Govt. Affairs & Arts Education Americans for the Arts.

"When classrooms lack basic supplies like pencils, tissues, and notebooks, and when kids' families are struggling to provide necessities, teachers often buy these things themselves. It's telling that teachers spent the most—some spent well over $1,000—in schools where kids are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. AFT has fought for the resources and conditions educators need to help kids thrive as well as stepping in to assist teachers with school supplies as well books for students for classroom and home libraries. We need more then band aids which is why this bill to increase the federal tax deduction for supplies –is so welcome. This deduction has been stuck at $250 since 2002. While we will continue to fight the defunding and underinvesting in public education, this bill helps by compensating teachers on what they realistically are spending in their classroom to give their students the essentials that are needed to learn by increasing the Education Expense Deduction to $2,000. Thank you, Representative Velazquez," said Randi Weingarten, AFT President.

This legislation also has support from: Network for Public Education, Americans for the Arts, American Federation of Teachers.