CTA and the Alliance for a Better California...

...are pleased to announce the launch of www.BetterCA.com, a new online community dedicated to building and organizing the grassroots efforts of the millions of Californians who have spoken out against the bad ideas that Governor Schwarzenegger has put on the November ballot—ideas that will take California in the wrong direction.

Our coalition of teachers, firefighters, nurses, police officers, public employees, community advocates, religious leaders and other local organizations are mobilizing online and on the streets to defeat this damaging agenda.

BetterCA.com will help give us the tools we need to ensure that everyone in our coalition can stay INVOLVED and INFORMED throughout this campaign and beyond.

IRS Issues a Reminder for Your Teaching Staff to Save Their Receipts

On August 16, 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a statement reminding qualified educators that the federal “Educator Expense Deduction” is still valid for the tax year 2005. Under current law, this deduction is scheduled to expire at the end of 2005.

Educators may subtract up to $250 of qualified expenses when figuring their adjusted gross income (AGI) for 2005. This deduction is available whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions on Schedule A.

The deduction is available to eligible educators in public or private elementary or secondary schools. To be eligible, a person must work at least 900 hours during a school year as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide.
For tax year 2003, the most recent year for which figures are available, educator expense deductions totaling almost $814 million nationally were claimed on nearly 3.3 million individual income tax returns.
If you receive questions regarding this deduction, we recommend that you refer your staff to their tax preparer or the IRS at 1-800-829-4477 and to listen to Topic 458.

The Contract provides for reimbursement for personal equipment at school under the following conditions:

The maximum claim is $250
The employee completed the District Personnel Equipment Authorization Form.

Ask your site secretary for the form. Complete it for every personal computer, VCR, CD player, and other equipment you have brought from home. For more information See Article XVII Safety, Security, and General Working Conditions Section F.2.b. p.51.

Celebrate
International Day of Peace in Education September 20
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If We are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin with children.
(Gandhi)