Press Releases

On Friday, U.S Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05) introduced the Home Educators are Teachers Act of 2020. This legislation will help families who educate their children at home by extending to them the same tax deductions to which eligible K-12 teachers are entitled.

 

For background information, the IRS allows an "eligible educator" to deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed education expenses, which could include books, supplies, computer equipment, software, and other items used in the classroom. Furthermore, the IRS definition of “eligible educator” is a K-12 teacher who provides instruction in a traditional school environment.

 

Rep. Norman's new bill would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to clarify IRS regulations such that "individuals who provide home-school education are 'eligible educators'" for the purpose of this tax deduction.

 

Rep. Norman issued the following statement after filing this bill:

 

"Parents who educate their children at home are, in fact, teachers. As such, home educators should be eligible for the same tax deductions that K-12 teachers in a traditional school are entitled to. This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more and more families have chosen home schooling to help meet the educational goals they have for their children."

 

Organizations endorsing this bill include:

National Taxpayers Union issued the following statement about Rep. Norman's bill:

 

"With millions of children learning from home this year and next, parents may face a number of unanticipated schooling expenses. Congressman Norman's Home Educators are Teachers Act would ensure that parents homeschooling their kids can access a $250 deduction for education expenses, providing some commonsense relief for families across the country. National Taxpayers Union applauds Congressman Norman for introducing this bill."\