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Taxes Information |
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Back To School - Educators Deduct School Expenses
As teachers and students head back to school following a glorious summer, it's time to remind teachers to organize 2004 school expenses. Under a temporary tax code change, teachers can deduct certain school-related expenses from adjusted gross income. Educator Expense Deduction If you work in the education field, you may be able to deduct up to $250 from your adjusted gross income for 2004 taxes. Unfortunately, the deduction is only applicable to 2004, but there is a reasonable possibility it will be extended to the 2005 tax year and beyond. As a result, you should continue to keep records so you can claim the deduction if it is extended. So, who can claim it and what can be claimed? "Educators" Under the tax code provision, "educators" are defined as a fairly broad group of professionals. You are an education if you comply with the following guidelines: 1. You teach kids in kindergarten or through grade 12; 2. You are a teacher 3. You are an instructor 4. You are a counselor 5. You are an aide, or 6. You are a principal If you fit within one of the above positions, there is an additional time requirement that must be met. You must work at least 900 hours in an elementary or high school during the year in question. This equates to roughly half a year. Expenses As an educator, you are allowed to deduct unreimbursed expenses you paid for school room items. Examples include books, computer programs, writing supplies and those little stars I used to love getting on my book reports. Just make sure the school is not covering the costs. The educator expense deduction is a rather disappointing $250, but every deduction counts when it comes to taxes. Make sure you claim the deduction and keep your receipts for the write off. Richard Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - recovering overpaid taxes for small businesses. Visit our article page - http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles - to read more tax articles.
MORE RESOURCES: One state lawmaker wants to impose a tax on strip club patrons. Another plans to call for higher cigarette taxes. A third will propose putting the state's four percent sales tax back on all groceries. With the state facing a $2 billion to $2.5 billion shortfall this fiscal year and possibly worse financial news next year, lawmakers are searching for ways to fill gaps to avoid slashing education, ... Some out-of-work residents choose not to have taxes withheld from their unemployment checks, but that can be dangerous. Property owners are seeking payment plans on their taxes in Wake County. SHELBY - Long lines formed at the Cleveland County Administrative building Monday as people paid their property taxes at the last minute.Jan. 5 is the final day to pay before interest begins to accrue.Derek Mauney, waiting in a line that stretched down A new poll shows that registered voters in New York appear willing to pay higher taxes in order to prevent spending cuts in the state’s massive Medicaid program. Antrim Township in Franklin County is eliminating property taxes. LANCASTER, Pa. -- The Lancaster City Council unanimously passed Mayor Rick Gray's 2009 budget. The $46 million spending plan calls for a 5 percent increase in property taxes. With the economy struggling, Hoosiers have more on their minds: more jobs, more efficient government and surprisingly, more taxes. Being self-employed can bring a strong sense of independence and ownership. But like every business, self-employed individuals still must pay taxes. Facing a looming $42 billion state deficit, should state legislators rely most heavily on raising taxes and fees or cutting programs and employees? |
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