Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander helped introduce the bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act to ensure early childhood educators can claim the same federal tax deduction currently available to K-12 teachers. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), David Valadao (CA-22), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-11) co-lead this legislation. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
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.
“Teaching is the ultimate act of optimism and safeguard of our democracy. America’s early childhood educators pour their hearts into their work, and far too often, their own money, just to do their jobs,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “These educators deserve the same tax deduction other teachers get, and I am proud to lead this commonsense, bipartisan bill that’ll do just that.”
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.
Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to fighting for the people of New Hampshire and is a fierce advocate for public education and lowering costs across the board for working families. Following weeks of Goodlander’s advocacy, the Trump Administration finally released the $5.5 billion in federal funding it was withholding from America’s public schools, including $27 million for New Hampshire. Goodlander also helped introduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, comprehensive legislation to ensure families across America can find and afford the high-quality child care they need. Goodlander also helped launch the Lowering Costs Caucus, a group of members dedicated to tackling the cost crisis that is standing between hardworking people and the American Dream.
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