Similar to the previous year, union dues paid in 2019 are not deductible on miscellaneous deductions for federal taxes.
However, the State of Hawaii will continue to allow union dues to be deducted from taxes on your 2019 return.
The state's official tax instruction book confirms union dues can still be deducted from state taxes, subject to itemizing and if your miscellaneous deductions exceed two percent of your income. (See page 20 of the State of Hawaii tax instruction book here.)
HSTA advises our members to seek professional advice for questions regarding their tax returns. Since we are not tax experts, we need to defer to tax professionals on these matters.
In order to determine the dues amounts for Hawaii State Teachers Association and National Education Association Bargaining Unit 05 members who had continuous payroll deductions for the entire year, log in here with your registered account, then look under Members > Dues.
If you do not have a registered account on HSTA.org, you can sign up here.
If you became an HSTA member partway through the year, please contact the HSTA at (808) 833-2711 and ask for the Membership Department. Our staff can calculate the specific amount of dues you paid last year.
The IRS did not touch the deduction of teachers’ educational expenses, so those kinds of expenses continue to be an “above the line” deduction, meaning you can deduct this amount before computing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Teachers can still deduct up to $250 from their federal taxes for classroom expenses, provided they have original receipts from those expenses.