Eligible educators may deduct personal protective equipment expenses

The IRS provided a safe harbor under which “eligible educators” can deduct unreimbursed expenses for COVID-19 protective items as educator expenses under Sec. 62(a)(2)(D) (Rev. Proc. 2021-15). COVID-19 protective items include, but are not limited to:

• Face masks;
• Disinfectant for use against COVID-19;
• Hand soap;
• Hand sanitizer;
• Disposable gloves;
• Tape, paint, or chalk to guide social distancing;
• Physical barriers (e.g., clear plexiglass);
• Air purifiers; and
• Other items recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be used for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Sec. 62(a)(2)(D) allows eligible educators an above-the-line deduction of up to $250 of qualifying expenses per year ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but only $250 each). Under Sec. 62(d)(1)(A), an “eligible educator” is any individual who is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during a school year. For these purposes, a school is any school that provides elementary or secondary education under state law (Sec. 62(d)(1)(B))

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, P.L. 116-260, required the IRS to clarify that unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred after March 12, 2020, by eligible educators for protective items to stop the spread of COVID-19 are expenses described in Sec. 62(a)(2)(D)(ii) that qualify for the educator expense deduction.

— Sally P. Schreiber, J.D., (Sally.Schreiber@aicpa-cima.com) is a Tax Adviser senior editor.