Burns Votes to Extend Teacher Tax Credit for Out of-Pocket Classroom Expenses

Press Release

Congressman Max Burns (GA-12) yesterday voted to extend a popular teacher tax deduction that allows school teachers to take a tax deduction of up to $250 a year for classroom expenses they pay out of their own pockets. The deduction, known as the "Crayola Credit," is included in a $145.9 billion tax relief package the House passed Thursday. The measure allows teachers to deduct up to $250 off their tax bill for books, supplies, computer equipment and supplemental materials used in the classroom.

"Our teachers in the 12th District deserve as much support as possible as they strive to meet the academic needs of their students," Burns said. "This is just one more step towards giving our educators the freedom to teach without being restricted by lack of supplemental materials provided to them. Virtually every school teacher in America pays money out of his or her own pocket for classroom materials, and they should be allowed to deduct those expenses, which are a direct investment in the education of our children."

The teacher tax credit was included in H.R. 1308, the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004. A summary of the bill can be found at the following site: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/Links.asp?section=343.

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