Straight Talk With Sam - Teacher Tax Credit

Volume 4, Issue 37, September 13, 2004

STRAIGHT TALK WITH SAM
Teacher Tax Credit

I heard someone say once, "For every person wishing to teach, there are thirty not wanting to be taught, often in the same classroom." We have all been in that classroom at one point in our lives. I remember teachers pushing me to succeed and I remember stubbornly studying and doing my homework. It's amazing how a couple decades and life experience can change your perspective.

I am grateful to all my teachers for what they taught me. Teachers often don't get the credit they deserve. They commit themselves to teaching our children and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Many teachers do go above and beyond the call of duty. They use their own money to pay for school supplies for their students. In 2002, Congress made these expenses tax deductible up to $250 for full-time teachers. However, that tax deduction expired at the end of the 2003 tax year.

That is why I fought to extend the tax deduction for teachers. I also drafted legislation to increase the tax deduction to $500 for full-time teachers and create a new tax deduction of $250 for part-time teachers. We should not have the IRS tax the extra efforts of teachers.

If it was the right thing for Congress to do in 2002, then it is the right thing to do at any time. Teachers deserve no less.