Credits we check · United States

Did you miss the educator expense deduction?

RefundSift checks your United States tax situation for the educator expense deduction. Here is what it is, in plain language, with links to the official IRS pages.

Who qualifies

• You are a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide and meet the IRS hours requirement.
• You paid for classroom supplies, books, equipment or professional development courses yourself.

How much

Deduct up to $300 of unreimbursed expenses ($600 if married filing jointly and both are eligible educators, but not more than $300 each), on Schedule 1.

How far back you can claim

To claim a refund on Form 1040-X, the IRS says you generally must file within 3 years after the date you filed the original return, or 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.

Official sources

• Topic 458, Educator expense deduction (IRS)
• File an amended return (IRS)

Not tax advice. This page is general information based on the official sources above, which can change. Rules and amounts depend on your full situation and the tax year. Check the official source or a qualified professional before you claim.