Governor Perdue Signs Teacher Tax Cut

Teachers Can Claim $250 Tax Deduction for the Purchase of School Supplies

ATLANTA – Teachers in Georgia can now deduct up to $250 per year for the purchase of school supplies thanks to legislation signed today by Governor Sonny Perdue. Each year many teachers purchase school materials for their students’ general use or special projects. Governor Perdue announced his support for this tax cut in October 2004.

“Georgia teachers care deeply for their students and they often purchase school supplies out of their own pocket to help their students succeed in the classroom,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This tax cut recognizes teachers for their hard work and the sacrifices they make educating our young people.”

Last October, President Bush signed the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 (WFTRA) which extended the federal deduction for classroom supplies purchased by teachers. The legislature gave final passage to the teacher tax cut (HB263) on March 21, 2005. The deduction is retroactive to include the 2004 tax year in addition to the 2005 tax year. It accounts for a $1.86 million tax cut in the Governor’s budget.