As a result of legislation championed by NYSUT, the state AFL-CIO and unions across the state, which was passed and signed into law in April 2017, union members in New York can deduct their union dues from their state income taxes if they itemize. Consult with your personal tax preparer to confirm your own situation.  Learn more at nysaflcio.org.

Union Dues Deduction is as follows:

Full-time teachers paid dues in the amount of $965 from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019.  Full-time nurses paid dues in the amount of $535 from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. Part time teachers and nurses should look at their last pay stub in December from which dues were deducted.

Educator Expense Tax Deduction

If you're an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $250 each) of unreimbursed trade or business expenses. Qualified expenses are amounts you paid or incurred for participation in professional development courses, books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment, and supplementary materials that you use in the classroom. For courses in health or physical education, the expenses for supplies must be for athletic supplies. This deduction is for expenses paid or incurred during the tax year. You're an eligible educator if, for the tax year you're a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.

Full details can be found here.

 

For further information, consult your tax preparer and/or IRS Publication