Eligible educator school supply tax credit

If you’re a teacher or early childhood educator, you can claim a 15% refundable tax credit on up to $1,000 of your school supply purchases each year.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be employed as a teacher or early childhood educator at an elementary or secondary school or at a regulated childcare facility and
  • hold a valid teacher’s certificate, licence, permit, a certificate, or diploma in early childhood education that’s recognized in the province or territory where you work

Note: If you’re claiming this credit, it’s important to know that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) might ask you to provide a certification from your employer that validates your eligible supply expenses. Be sure to request certification from your employer before you complete your return and keep it with your records in case the CRA wants to see it later.

In order for the supplies you buy to be considered eligible, they must:

  • be purchased during the tax year
  • be used in a school or in a regulated childcare facility for teaching or to help students learn
  • not be reimbursable, subject to an allowance, or other form of assistance (unless these amounts are included in your income and aren’t deductible) and
  • not be deducted or used in calculating a deduction from anyone’s income for any tax year

Eligible supplies can include any of the following products:

  • Construction paper
  • Flashcards
  • Various items used in science experiments
  • Art supplies
  • Writing materials (pens, pencils, sharpeners, etc.)
  • Games and puzzles
  • Books used in the classroom and
  • Educational support software
  • Containers (plastic boxes or banker boxes)

Follow these steps in H&R Block’s 2023 tax software:

  1. On the left navigation menu, under the Credits & deductions tab, click Required.
  2. Click the Special situations heading.
  1. Select Yes to the question, Are you a teacher or early childhood educator who bought teaching supplies?.

  2. Enter the amount you paid for eligible supply expenses for 2023 in the designated field of the tax software.