Provides for a personal income tax deduction for school supplies paid for out-of-pocket by K-12 teachers in public and nonpublic schools, up to $500 per year

2 Co-sponsors

• Simcha Felder
• George Latimer

Title of bill

An act to amend the tax law, in relation to authorizing a personal income tax deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers for certain expenses incurred for school supplies

Purpose

To provide a personal income tax deduction for school supplies paid for out-of-pocket by K-12 teachers in public and non-public schools, up to $500 a year.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Subsection c of section 612 of the tax law is amended by adding a new paragraph 44.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to taxable year beginning on and after January 1, 2016.

Justification

Although a federal tax deduction exists for teacher's out-of-pocket school supplies expenses of up to $500, it simply is not enough. According to a survey by Quality Education Data, a market research firm, teachers spent an average of $521 of their own money on supplies in 2001, and an average of $448 in 1999. According to a 2001 survey by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, teachers paid an average of $589 a year. This legislation will provide teachers much-needed relief from these out-of-rocket costs.

Legislative history

2015: S.4615 - Passed Senate / A.4725 - Referred to Ways & Means 2014: S3626D Passed Senate/A7413-A Referred to Ways and Means 2013: S.3626B Referred to Ways & Means 2012: S.5289 Reported to Finance/A.2567 - Referred to Ways &Means 2011: S.5289 Passed Senate/A.2567 - Referred to Ways & Means 2010: S.727 Reported to Finance/A.8274 - Referred to Ways &Means 2009: S.727 Reported to Finance/A..8274 - Referred to Ways &Means 2008: S.6792 Passed Senate/A..1312 - Referred to Ways & Means 2007: A.1312 Referred to Ways & Means 2006: A.1029 Referred to Ways & Means 2005: A.1025 Referred to Ways & Means

Fiscal implications

The Department of Taxation and Finance estimates that the bill would result in a $1 million revenue loss during SFY 2012-13 and $3.9 million annually thereafter if the existing Federal deduction is extended beyond December 31, 2011. Alternatively, if the Federal deduction is not extended, the bill would result in a $1.7 million revenue loss during SFY 2012-13 and $6.9 million thereafter.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.