Teacher Classroom Supply Spending & Tax Deduction Tracker
Educational estimate only, not tax advice. Deduction eligibility depends on your specific situation (hours worked, expense type) -- consult a tax professional or IRS Topic no. 458 before filing.
Enter what you actually spent on classroom supplies this year and see exactly how much the federal Educator Expense Deduction covers ($300 for 2025 returns, $350 starting with 2026) -- and how much comes straight out of your own pocket.
How it works
- Pick which tax year you're filing for (the deduction cap changed)
- Move the slider to how much you spent out of pocket on classroom supplies this year
- See your deductible amount, your non-deductible overage, and how your spending compares to the national teacher average
Frequently asked questions
What is the Educator Expense Deduction limit right now?
For 2025 tax returns (filed in 2026), it's $300 per eligible educator ($600 if married filing jointly and both spouses are educators, capped at $300 each). Starting with the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027), it rises to $350 per educator ($700 for a married couple who are both educators).
Who counts as an eligible educator?
A kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide who works at least 900 hours a school year in a school providing elementary or secondary education, per the IRS.
Is this the only way to deduct classroom spending?
The above-the-line deduction calculated here is capped, but starting with the 2026 tax year the IRS also allows an uncapped itemized deduction for qualifying educator expenses if you itemize. This tool only estimates the simpler above-the-line deduction.
How much do teachers actually spend out of pocket?
NEA reporting puts it at well over 90% of teachers spending their own money, averaging roughly $500 to $900 a year, though it varies a lot by school and grade level.
Related tools
From the blog
Update history
- 2026-10-03 Added links to related tools.
- 2026-10-01 Launched: shows how much of a teacher's out-of-pocket classroom spending is covered by the federal Educator Expense Deduction ($300 for 2025 returns, $350 starting 2026) vs. not deductible.