ALBANY — TEACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO DEDUCT part of their classroom supply expenses on their taxes, according to a bill that Assemblymember William Colton, D-47, is sponsoring.
The legislation (A1926), which Colton announced in a press release on Tuesday, would allow New York teachers from kindergarten through grade 12 to deduct annually from their state income taxes up to $500 spent on outfitting their classrooms. The legislation (with a companion bill in the state Senate, S03711) would apply to teachers in both public and non-public schools and would complement an existing federal income tax deduction in the amount of $250 annually, for money spent on classroom supplies.
A former educator himself, Colton pointed out that the $250 allowance amount does not begin to cover teachers’ average annual outlay.
“Our teachers are constantly going the extra mile for their students. And, they often dig into their own pockets to do so, sacrificing so their students can learn on a more level playing field,” said Colton. “The least we can do is try to provide a little financial relief, especially in these tough economic times, when everything costs more.”
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