Addabbo Supports Bill to Give Educators Tax Credit to Cover Out of Pocket School Supplies Purchases

Howard Beach, NY (May 16, 2016) To help teachers, principals and other educators who reach into their own pockets to purchase necessary school supplies, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. recently joined his Senate colleagues in approving legislation (S.4615) that would provide these dedicated school professionals with a state personal income tax deduction of up to $500 to help cover these job-related costs.

“It is very common for teachers and other educators to buy school supplies, without any means for reimbursement, in an effort to improve the classroom experience for their students,” said Addabbo, a long time member of the Senate Education Committee. “It is only fair that we recognize our educators for their dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for their pupils by offering a tax break to help them recoup some of their costs.”

The proposed personal income tax deduction would apply to educators working in both public and non-public schools. Addabbo noted that this state personal income tax credit would complement a federal tax deduction that is in place to help teachers offset classroom expenses.

“While the federal deduction is helpful, it really doesn’t provide very much relief for educators who often spend hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket on needed school supplies,” he said. “We can do better on behalf of the men and women who choose education as a career and who spend so much personal time and energy preparing our children for successful futures.”

Now that the legislation has been approved by the Senate, the bill is under consideration by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.