State Rep. Sharon Tyler announced Thursday she is sponsoring legislation allowing public school teachers to take additional tax deductions on the cost of classroom supplies.

House Bill 4512 gives public school and public school academy teachers the chance to deduct up to $500 for a single filing or $1,000 for a joint filing for the purchase of classroom supplies used directly in the taxpayer’s classroom coursework.

“It is important to consider the additional, out-of-pocket expenses teachers incur as we discuss changes in overall teacher compensation,” said Tyler, of Niles. “The items eligible for deduction are things our educators often purchase on their own for the benefit of the children in their classrooms.”

On the federal level, the IRS currently offers an Educator Expense Deduction for those teaching in grades K-12. Teachers can deduct up to $250 of any unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies, computers, equipment and other materials.

According to a 2010 report by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, teachers spend on average $356 of their own money on supplies and resources each year, including an average of $170 on supplies and $186 on instructional materials.