My wife is a kindergarten teacher to early preschool children.Is she eligible for Line 16,Educator expenses?

Question

we are filing jointly 1040A form. do we need to provide proof of the expenses and how?

Answer 1

Any teacher, even if the are a daycare teacher is eligible. I did this for years when I was a preschool teacher.

Answer 2

If she is a public school educator, she will most likely qualify.  I believe it is a $250 write-off, but please double check with your accountant.    As far as proof, she needs to save every receipt associated with her out-of-pocket expenses in regard to her classroom or educator workshops she may have attended.  I used to keep a small ziploc bag in the sid epocket of my purse, and when I bought something educationally related, I would just stick the receipt in the baggie.    Then I would just itemize the list.  But over teh past few years, we have stuck to a great accountant that just asks to 'see' my ziploc bag, and writes-off my $250.  If I were to ever be audited, I would have to go back and type out all my receipts.

However, your best bet is to check with your accountant.