Wisconsin bill would give state income tax deduction to educators for classroom expenses
MADISON – Teachers in Wisconsin schools would be able to deduct classroom materials from income tax filings under a new bill.
Under the proposal, teachers may claim up to a $300 deduction on their state income tax return for eligible expenses such as professional development courses, books and other classroom supplies.
Bill co-author Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, told the Journal Sentinel that two of his daughters are teachers so this is an issue close to home for him.
"I think it's ludacris that teachers have to buy their own supplies. I get that maybe that's just normal practice now so I want to help as much as I can," Armstrong said.
The bill mirrors current federal policy that allows educators to claim a $300 deduction on federal income tax returns for the same expenses.
Teachers spend a significant amount of their own money on classroom supplies, averaging between $500 and $800 annually on classroom supplies that are not reimbursed by the school, according to the National Education Association.
Over 90% of teachers in the U.S. have spent money out of pocket on classroom supplies, a 2023 study found.
Armstrong said that while the bill has been well received by educators who have attended listening sessions in his district, he wishes there was more he could do.
"I wish I could've done more, but I think with the reality of where we are at right now with the budget, this is the best I could get through right now," Armstrong said.
Armstrong said that there has been a good response from Democratic lawmakers, and he believes it's likely the bill will get a unanimous vote in the Assembly.
Several Democratic lawmakers have signed onto the bill, including Rep. Lisa Subeck, who told the Journal Sentinel that "frankly, the bill just makes good sense."
"The reality is that we should be doing a better job of funding our schools to ensure that classroom needs are met so teachers would not feel like they have to purchase things out-of-pocket," Subeck said. "Until we do that, I think this is the least we could do."
Subeck said teachers have been spending money out of pocket for a long time, noting that she remembers spending her own money on classroom materials when she was a preschool teacher for Head Start.
But that strain has become greater in recent years as rising inflation drives up supply costs.
While Subeck could not speak to whether Gov. Tony Evers would support the bill, she pointed to Evers' time as state superintendent and his work through the budget process to provide more funding to Wisconsin's schools as showing his commitment to uplifting educators.
"I think that he knows well the strain the teachers in our classrooms feel," Subeck said.
A spokeswoman from the governor did not respond to a request for comment.
Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin bill would provide state income tax deduction for teachers
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