WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. John Tanner (D-TN) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) have introduced a bill to increase and make permanent the maximum tax deduction available for teachers purchasing classroom supplies. The Teacher Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3758) also expands the deduction to include expenses associated with qualified professional development pursuits, such as continuing education.

“Educators have the important responsibility of helping our young people prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead,” Congressman Tanner said. “We must ensure they have the resources to help our students be successful and that they have opportunities to continue their own professional development. We are proud to work toward the permanent deduction of instructors’ out-of-pocket costs so they will not be penalized for doing all they can to continue providing quality education for the next generation of our nation’s leaders.”

The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum allowed deduction from $250 to $500, make the deduction permanent and expand it to include professional development expenses. Continued professional development helps teachers keep their skills and knowledge current and equips them to prepare students for college and the workplace. Congressman Tanner has supported similar proposals in the past.

“School districts across the country are dealing with budget cuts,” Congressman Reichert said, “and our teachers are left to pick up the slack, paying for basic supplies such as paper, pencils, glue, and scissors, out of their own pockets. They’ve stepped up to the plate because they’re committed to providing students the best education possible. It is important – especially in these difficult economic times – to stand with our teachers, demonstrating our commitment to them by expanding this tax relief to encourage continuing education pursuits and removing any uncertainty by making it permanent.”

The classroom expense deduction available for teachers is set to expire on December 31, 2009. This has created unnecessary uncertainty for teachers throughout the country, who daily are footing the bill for basic classroom supplies.

The National School Supply and Equipment Association found that for the 2005-2006 school year, educators spent out of their own pockets an average of $826 for supplies and $926 for instructional materials – for a total of $1,752.

“Our teachers continually prove they are committed to their students’ success,” Congressman Tanner added, “and this is one way we can express our appreciation and support.”

Tanner represents the 8th Congressional District in West and Middle Tennessee. Co-founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, Tanner serves on the Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Social Security Subcommittee, and on the Foreign Affairs Committee. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Tanner chairs the U.S. delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and is serving a two-year term as NATO PA President.