KNOW & Tell
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE EDUCATOR TAX DEDUCTIONS
GAE knows every dollar counts in your family budget. That is why when tax time
rolls around, it is important that you know the many tax deductions you may
qualify for as a professional educator.
6 | KNOW • Volume 15 Issue 1
LOVE AT
FIRST SIGHT
Many of us have stories to tell about the moment
we discovered the power of reading—but not all of
us. For some students, books and reading can be
miserable experiences. What if every child could have
a positive, exciting experience with reading?
Welcome to Read Across America.
RAA, for short, is our annual reading motivation and
awareness program that calls for every child in every
community to celebrate reading on March 2, the
birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.
In cities and towns across the nation, teachers,
teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes,
parents, grandparents, and others develop Read
Across America activities to bring reading excitement
to children of all ages. Throughout RAA’s 20-year
history in Georgia, First Ladies, Mayors, NFL players,
TV personalities, and average, ordinary folks who
believe in reading have joined GAE to make reading
matter to the next generation.
Make 2017 the year YOU get involved in
the celebration!
Did you KNOW?
Research has shown that children who
are motivated and spend more time
reading do better in school.
For more information visit:
gae.org/readacross
Remember: There are copyright restrictions imposed by Dr. Seuss Enterprises (such
as no promotions with fast food companies). If you plan to ask a business to get
involved, please contact GAE’s Kevin Pearson (kevin.pearson@gae.org) to check
if the type of business is okay. Also, only the NEA, its affiliates, and their identified
partners, are authorized to use the Read Across America artwork featuring the
Cat-in-the-Hat.
NEWS
First, GAE members can deduct 94% of
their association dues for the 2016 tax
year. The nondeductible portion of GAE dues is
6% related to certain lobbying and political
activities, so you can deduct $170.14 for
active full-time teachers and $85.07 for
full-time educational support professionals
as miscellaneous itemized deductions. However,
these deductions are subject to a 2% limit on
itemized deductions—this means you can only
deduct the amount that exceeds 2% of your
adjusted gross income on Schedule A, line 21.
In addition, your GAE dues include a $2
contribution for active full-time teachers and
$1 for full-time educational support
professionals to the GAE Foundation, Inc. These
contributions are tax deductible as a charitable
contribution on Schedule A.
Teachers may also deduct up to $250 for
classroom supplies purchased in 2016.
This is a particularly advantageous deduction
because it is an above-the-line deduction on line
23 on Form 1040, which means you don’t have
to itemize your deductions to take it and it
reduces your overall adjusted gross income.
Other situations faced by educators preparing
their taxes include:
If you are paying student loans, you may be able
to deduct the Student Loan Interest on your tax
return. The student loan interest amount goes
on line 33 on Form 1040. You must meet all of
these requirements:
• You paid interest during the tax year on a
qualified student loan.
• Your filing status is not married filing
separately.
• Your modified adjusted gross income
(MAGI) must be less than $80,000 if filing
single, head of household or qualifying
widow(er); $160,000 if filing status is married
filing jointly.
• You are not claimed as a dependent on
someone else’s return.
Other unreimbursed employment expenses
You can deduct expenses for classroom supplies
beyond the $250 amount as unreimbursed
employment expenses, which are defined
as expenses that help you conduct your job
even if they are not required. However, these
deductions are subject to a 2% limit on itemized
deductions—this means you can only deduct
the amount that exceeds 2% of your adjusted
gross income on Schedule A, line 21.
Lifetime Learning Credits
If you take courses that you pay for yourself,
whether or not they are required for certification,
you may qualify for the American Opportunities
Credit or the lifetime Learning Credit; see
Form 8863 for more details.
BE SURE TO CONSULT WITH
YOUR TAX ADVISOR FOR MORE
DETAILS AND BE SURE TO KEEP WRITTEN
DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS FOR
YOUR CLASSROOM SUPPLIES DEDUCTION
AND OTHER TAX BENEFITS.