Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act to ensure that early childhood educators can claim the same federal tax deduction currently available to K-12 teachers. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-11) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“In Maine and across the country, we are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators who work hard to ensure that every child has a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and enriching,” said Senator Collins. “In spite of tight budgets and their own modest salaries, it is truly remarkable how often teachers use money out of their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for their children. As the author of the original tax credit for K-12 teachers, I am delighted to join this effort to expand this benefit to pre-K educators. This tax credit would help more people by reimbursing early childhood educators for the resources they invest in our children’s future.”
“As a former school superintendent, I know that many educators often spend their own money to provide their students with the supplies they need to succeed,” said Senator Bennet. “We must ensure that all educators – especially those who teach our youngest children – can deduct these costs from their taxes. I’m grateful to work with bipartisan partners in Congress and in Colorado to pass this bill and deliver for educators and kids.”
“Early educators play a vital role in helping children learn and grow while preparing them to enter kindergarten ready to succeed, yet too often they pay out of pocket for necessary classroom supplies. The SEED Act is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal from Representatives Panetta, Goodlander, Valadao, and Fitzpatrick that would ease this burden and support the educators our youngest learners and their families rely on every day,” said Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund.
Research shows that educators spend an average of $860 annually on supplies for their students. Yet, under current law, early childhood educators cannot deduct those out-of-pocket expenses. The SEED Act would correct this and provide tax relief to the teachers working with America’s youngest learners. The SEED Act would expand the above-the-line $300 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002, to also include pre-K and early childhood educators. This deduction helps offset the hundreds of dollars teachers spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and learning materials.
The SEED Act is supported by a broad coalition of education and child advocacy organizations, including the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, the First Five Years Fund, and Trying Together.
The complete text of the bill can be read here.
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