The Internal Revenue Service has increased the amount teachers can deduct on their federal taxes when buying classroom supplies out of pocket, from $250 to $300.

It's the the first time in 20 years the IRS has increased the limit.

Any teacher or educator in public or private school, K-12, who is in school at least 900 hours during the school year qualifies for the deduction.

Deductible items include basic classroom supplies like books, pens, pencils and computer software, as well as Covid-19 items like gloves, masks and hand sanitizer.

In Madison, first-grade teacher Tera Saaristo said she usually spends about $1,500 to $2,000 of her own money on classroom decorations and supplies each year. 

She said she's always taken advantage of the write-off and the extra $50 will go a long way this year.

"This means I'll be able to bring more things into the classroom," Saaristo said. "It means I'll be able to bring more experiences and a variety of activities for (the kids) to do. It'll be just a little bit more help each year."

The IRS said it is considering raising the limit by another $50 increment in the future, depending on inflation.

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