August 2018 – Ninety-four percent of teachers spend an average of $479 out of pocket in a year for school supplies, such as notebooks, paper, and pens, the National Center for Education Statistics reported on May 15. Thirty-six percent spent up to $500. Teachers in high poverty schools are more likely to spend their own money for classroom needs. While current law allows for teachers to reduce their taxable income by a $250 deduction for such expenses, a large portion of what they spend goes unreimbursed, despite efforts in the Senate last year to raise the allowable tax deduction to $500.
