Educators can take a federal income tax deduction of up to $250 for out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies and resources for the 2003 tax year, so SAVE THOSE RECEIPTS.
     The Educator Expense Deduction is available to eligible educators in private or public elementary or secondary schools. To be eligible, a person must
work at least 900 hours during a school year as a teacher, instructor,
counselor, principal, or aide.
     This is the last year that the current deduction will be available, however. Proposed legislation in both the House (H.R. 785) and the Senate (S. 695) would make the educator tax relief permanent, increase the deduction to $400, and expand the allowable items to include professional development
expenses.
     If you want to see this proposed legislation become law, contact your member of Congress and ask him or her to support H.R. 785 in the House and S. 695 in the Senate. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Representative or Senator. To send e-mail to a Senator, go to
www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm
(phone numbers also listed here);  to contact
Representatives, go to
www.house.gov.