Illinois Teachers Who Buy School Supplies Will Now Get Tax Credit

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A new $250 tax credit will offset costs for Illinois teachers who have been paying out of pocket to make sure their classrooms have the school supplies they need. The new credit is available to Illinois public school teachers, teachers' aides and principals who work at least 900 hours during the school year.

The $250 credit comes in addition to a $250 federal tax deduction for teachers who have unreimbursed business expenses.

That combined $500 lines up with how much most teachers say they spent on school supplies in recent years. The Education Market Association said most teachers reported spending nearly $500 on classroom supplies in 2015, according to Money Magazine. One in 10 educators said they spent $1,000 or more, and the association estimates that $1.6 billion in school supply costs is shifted from parents and in some cases financially strapped districts onto teachers each year.

State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) urged local teachers to take advantage of the credit. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

“Educating our children is a noble profession,” Cullerton said in a statement. “Our state should serve as a partner and honor the investments our educators have made in the future of Illinois. This tax credit will help lessen the burden for teachers who work endlessly to ensure our children receive the best education possible.”

Image via Shutterstock