The 109th Congress has failed to vote on legislation that would extend several tax benefits that help teachers and students. These include a $250 deduction for teachers and paraprofessionals who buy school supplies, a $4,000 deduction for college fees and tuition that helps students and educators, and a federally subsidized school bond program aimed at repairing schools in high-poverty areas. 

These provisions are included in a popular bipartisan Tax Extender bill. However, Republican congressional leaders are attempting to attach language to repeal the federal estate tax, which would only benefit the wealthiest Americans while costing $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Tell your elected officials in Congress to support a clean Tax Extender bill so that educators and students can get the assistance they need to achieve a better education.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The 109th Congress is coming to a close, but there will be a lame-duck session in November. One piece of essential legislation that must be passed before the end of this Congress is the bipartisan tax extender bill. This legislation contains important tax provisions that affect more than 19 million taxpayers and that will expire if there is no congressional action.

For teachers and paraprofessionals, the extension of the $250 tax deduction for buying school supplies is one important provision. It saves educators more than $300 million a year.

Another important provision is the extension of the $4,000 tax credit for higher education tuition and fees. Families with children in college and educators who return to college for professional development or licensing requirements use this important and valuable tax benefit.

Also included in this bill is the continuation Qualified Zone Academy Bonds used to rehabilitate public schools that serve low-income students. The federal government pays the interest on these bonds, and it has helped to repair hundreds of dilapidated schools across the country.

Please tell me if you will support the continuation of these tax provisions that are included in the tax extender package.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 29, 2006