[net.taxes] Are teachers' expenses tax deductible?

ma@hropus.UUCP (Miguel Abdo) (02/14/86)

I have a question for all you tax experts out there in net land.

	If a teacher buys materials for her class, can she deduct them
	as business expenses?  If so, how detailed should the receipts be?


By "materials" I refer to items she buys for the benefit of the classroom
and her pupils.  For example, if she furnishes an aquarium, or if she buys
cookies for the class, etc. can she claim these as business expenses?


Hope someone can help me with this one.

Thanks,

Miguel

smh@mhuxl.UUCP (henning) (02/14/86)

****                                                                 ****
From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA mhuxl!smh

> 	If a teacher buys materials for her class, can she deduct them
> 	as business expenses?  If so, how detailed should the receipts be?

As long as they are not and can not be used for personal use like street
clothes, they are deductable business expenses.  The aquarium you mention
should be treated like a donation, otherwise you retain ownership and
can not deduct it.  
Don't forget NEA and local dues,
	     subscriptions to professional journals,
	     car expenses driving to workshops and other places not
at the normal work place,
	     books bought for use in preparing lesson plans.

morse@leadsv.UUCP (Terry Morse) (02/14/86)

> 
> > 	If a teacher buys materials for her class, can she deduct them
> > 	as business expenses?  If so, how detailed should the receipts be?
> 
> As long as they are not and can not be used for personal use like street
> clothes, they are deductable business expenses.

Remember just one little quirk to the law.  If your employer would have
reimbursed you for your expenses if you had submitted them, you may not
write them off.  For example, if your company reimburses employees for
mileage, but you don't file the required forms to get reimbursed, you cannot
deduct the mileage from your own taxes.  I think that stinks, because I
never submit those stupid mileage reimbursement forms.  My fault, I guess.
-- 

Terry Morse  (408)743-1487
{ hplabs!cae780 } | { ihnp4!sun!sunncal } !leadsv!morse