Educational Tax Benefits

Elementary and secondary school teachers can deduct from gross income up to $250 of qualified expenses they paid during the year. If spouses are filing jointly and both were eligible educators, the maximum deduction on the joint return is $500. However, neither spouse can deduct more than $250 of his or her qualified expenses. The deduction expired for tax years beginning after 2011. ATRA, extends the deduction through tax years beginning before 2014.